My husband and I had an interesting conversation yesterday regarding the political madness of the last few months (maybe years). We had been having a conversation with some people who are on our side of the political spectrum that seemed to needlessly escalate. We believe many of the same things, but here's the problem...
I. Love. Balance.
I often can't help myself. No matter the side of the argument I actually hold personally, I tend to play "Devil's Advocate" for the other side. (This has gotten me into hot water more times than I can count). I don't think there is ever a side that is 100% write or flawless. We are all human beings which means we are intrinsically imperfect. I happen to think that's ok. It's important to find common ground and understanding for our differences. Trying to walk in the other person's shoes for a few minutes is a good place to start.
In this post-conversation conversation, I found a voice for some of the things I've been feeling about all of this discord and strife we are experiencing in our country. Too often, we become entrenched in our positions and can't understand the other side.
I grew up in a middle-class, white, evangelical family in a small town in Georgia. I attended a private Christian school. I was largely protected from the world and its chaos. I also grew up surrounded by a lot of people who had the same background, faith, and world view as me. Because we were all from various denominations, I was able to test my own understandings of doctrine and theology against what my friends believed which was immensely helpful for me. But, I learned very little about the life that so many in our country experience.
Since the rise of the "Black Lives Matter" movement, I've been trying to understand the level of fear and anger that I see represented. I'm struggling to do so. My experience has been vastly different from the stories I hear. When I am pulled over by a police officer, it never crosses my mind to be afraid. I assume that I will be treated with the same level of respect I give to them. Losing my life or my liberty is the farthest thing from my mind. But, I know there are others who can not say the same.
Whether this speaks to my "white privilege" or not, is debatable, but I find it to be an interesting question. I don't believe I should be punished or pushed backwards because I happen to have been born white, but I don't believe anyone should experience that resistance no matter their skin color. People should just get to be people.
There's so much anger and vitriol right now. I see so much fear. It absolutely breaks my heart and I want to understand it. As a woman who has experience harassment of various degrees, I can understand a very little bit of the reactions I see. But, I have to reach outside of myself and my circle of friends in order to gain a different perspective.
And, that's where I think change starts.
It would be great if we could stand across the aisle from each other, deeply entrenched, and see if we can induce a change of heart or mind. But, I think we have to start in smaller conversations. We need to be able to sit around our dinner tables, where everyone looks/thinks/feels/believes/votes similarly and introduce the idea of validity in a foreign view point.
When we hear broad brush statements like, "Everyone who supports President Trump is a racist and hates women", we should speak up. We could respond with what we've learned from other people. Our answers could sound like this: "You know, it's so easy to think that because of the headlines we see, but let me share with you about my friend who voted for him because she feels let down by the current administration. She thinks he has some issues and clearly, that's true, but she's actually someone who fights for women and will continue to do so".
It's in these small conversations, surrounded by people with similar world views, where we can start to open eyes and facilitate change. We can be the ones who bring the balance to the table. People with opposing views don't always have that kind of access to the other side. It's up to us to make our homes a place where discourse is positive and welcome. The living room should be the place where we learn to debate the issues of the day but still walk away as friends. And, it should be the place where we learn to have compassion for those who see the world a little differently than we do.
I don't understand the fear, and sometimes panic, many of my fellow Americans are experiencing right now. I want to understand. I try to imagine what I would feel if the government suddenly told me that my marriage was null and void. Or, what would I do if my paycheck was suddenly cut in half.
Sometimes the things we need to do, as a country, are painful and rarely are they black and white. I believe we need to secure our borders and make sure people are here legally. But, I have so much compassion for those who are hoping for a better life here, however they can get it. I believe we need to get our spending back in line so that we don't leave crushing debt for the next generation. But, no one likes the guy who comes in and says you have to eat rice and beans for the next year so you can pay off all of this debt!
We are in a difficult time as a country, and I'm praying for better days. While we're working towards that, could we have a little grace for one another? Could we try to understand that some people are afraid? Maybe we could try to imagine what it would be like if our strongly held belief was being threatened.
Let the change start with us, in our homes, and in our daily conversations. May we develop relationships and have dialogue with people who come from a different place. This can only make us better human beings and better representations of Jesus. At least, that's what I think.
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