- Joined
- Sep 3, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
Matata|1485021854|4117547 said:I think one of the things that happens in the highly charged discussions here is that we get hung up on how people label themselves. Liberal, liberal-elite, "insert religious belief of your choice", etc. causes people to view a person within the stereotyped definition of that particular label. I often wonder if or how discussions would change if we just stopped with the labeling. Instead of hurling "liberal" or "christian" (of which I'm guilty) at someone as an insult, we just say "I believe" or "I think" and not self-identify an affiliation. As soon as someone calls someone else a conservative or a liberal, the conversation turns ugly as posters rail against, not a particular posters ideas, but the stereotype associated with the label.december-fire|1485020896|4117535 said:I love learning, hearing other people's opinions, etc., but I have no desire to get pounced on or attacked and engage in a never-ending attempt to justify my opinion. Discussions are one thing, but bullying, disrespect, and being tossed into the 'ignorant' bin for disagreeing with another's opinion - no, thanks.
Hmmm, perhaps just showing my age by wishing for a more respectful tone and society.
Yes, I think labels, and the interpretation of a label, can be an issue.
I've seen someone make a statement - one sentence - and have a label thrown at them. In that case, the person was deemed to be someone who doesn't care about animals. For goodness sakes, people, life isn't so cut and dry that we all fit into rigidly-constructed boxes sorted by specific views and beliefs. We're a wee bit too complex and multi-faceted for that kind of categorization.
This from the person who above assumed it was a 'woman' who called Melania 'fat'.
Yup, I'm guilty of thinking that some women can be mean and petty towards other women.
Diamondseeker2006,
My apologies for getting off-topic. But when I shook my head at the TV this morning and gave it my opinion, it didn't react. Here, I feel like I might get heard.
That being said, I'm not about to express the views I made to my TV. All heck would break out with my very-unpopular opinions about what's going on in the World.