It's important to LISTEN to people you don't think you identify with. Doing so levels your head, and broadens your heart.
But I guess it's human nature -- or laziness -- to just want to run around and have our biases confirmed, so that we feel even more grounded in a position we already poured cement on years ago.
When atheists see "God," they tend to tune out.
When anarchists see "state," they tend to tune out.
When communists see "capitalism," they tend to tune out.
When omnivores see "veganism," they tend to tune out.
When round-earthers see "flat earth," they tend to tune out.
When we see something we think lacks relevance or desirability, we actually stop seeing it.
With the help of our subconscious, we make quick decisions/presumptions about what is and isn't worthy of our time and attention. But how often do we stretch ourselves with a true learner's stance?
When's the last time we instructed our subconscious to INCLUDE data that benefits our growth, even when it seems to oppose what we think we know so well? Especially then.
From this interview between Karen Straughan and Chris Cantwell, I took these three take-aways:
Cantwell wants to live among his own, and not live among Blacks and Jews. Why is that a problem? Does someone WANT to be an unwanted neighbor? Not me. Even if it's my legal right to live across the street from, or next door to, a white nationalist... why on earth would I want to? It is much more enjoyable to live where you are wanted, not loathed. And being wanted can never be forced or mandated.
Being unwanted on the basis of my skin color and ethnic origins is not a statement about my worth and value. It's a statement of someone else's smallness. I won't make it mine. Also, I recognize no race as supreme to my own... so the logic of my language finds no truth in the deluded term, 'white supremacist.'
This article shows how a child's innocent perception is destroyed, and racism is seeded. And THE LAST THREE MINUTES of the video at the top of this post, shows how racism is triumphed. Johnny Lee Clary, a former Imperial Wizard in the KKK, explains the role Rev. Wade Watts played in his transformation. <--- If nothing else, please at least watch those last 3 minutes. I promise, you'll be glad you did! :-)
Excellent post. Thank you. I wrote one of my favorite Steemit posts a while back which touches on some of these same ideas: Tribalism: Our Shared Enemy. So much of the conflict going on seems to me to be an expression of our own evolution, trying to push past the primitive forces which got us hear on to something better which can improve the well being of us all.
Thanks so much for linking to that awesome post, @lukestokes! It's jaw-dropping to think about the growth we opt-out of, just to save a lil' glucose! π
I love, and share, your hopeful vision. Am glad to be in The Work, together.
People ready to look at what "the other side" has to offer are few and far between, but I think that looking at what other people have to say is often productive and enriching.
For instance, I am an atheist, but I do not tune out when someone mentions god and as long as they are also willing to have an honest conversation about it, the discussion usually turns out to be interesting. Same goes for politics where I'm happy to engage with people on different parts of the spectrum. Still, white supremacists are rarely people I have time and desire to talk or listen to despite the fact that I have done that in the past.
What a thoughtful comment. Thanks for it, @rocking-dave. I appreciate your openness to others. πΊ
One of my most influential teachers (via media) was Joseph Campbell. He said, "The cave you fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek." I sometimes test this out. Listening to white nationalists is one, rather easy, way... but it's a start.
Thank you for your reply! :)
Engaging with the other side, doing difficult things and expanding your horizons is important and rewarding but we should also keep in mind that we can't really enter every cave and while some scary or repulsive cave might hold treasures, some don't and it is OK to only enter the cave is want or decide to. But I agree, challenging yourself in the more general sense is one of the things that help us grow the most as people.
Sometimes, it is an ALL IN kinda thing. And sometimes, not. Wisdom is knowing when to sit, and when to stand, I 'spose.Y'know, @rocking-dave... somehow it never occurs to me that people need to be encouraged to do less. I appreciate your point! And also think complacency and mediocrity has become the norm, because "balance" gets a little too much celebration, in my opinion.
Very well said. :) And you are right, balance is often a logical fallacy. We don't need balanced views, we need the correct views ;)
That was enlightening, thanks. I really enjoyed the last part. I have forced myself to listen to wildly different arguments because I think it is the only way to make up your own mind. Making decisions based on what you hear from one person is dangerous.
You get it exactly, @matthewtiii. Thanks for taking/making time to watch. It says a lot about your open-mindedness... (and, perhaps, open-heartedness). π
I think one of the only good uses for our military is that when you grow up military there is true representation from all walks of life. I never heard the terms white boy or black guy or any of the various slurs about people from different countries. My best friend growing up had an American dad and a Japanese mom and he taught me much about the Japanese culture and cuisine. I treasure everyone equally because you never know what solution someone has to offer. What scares me the most about all the wars is, what if we kill the one person that has the key to our cintinuing survival or evolution on thus planet. We may have already killed that person or that person's parents so they will never be born.
I agree, @matthewtiii. ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS. All blood is irreplaceable.
Thank you for this. This is the kind of content I'm always looking for but NEVER finding in the main stream. Open-minded, civil discourse helps us evolve both as individuals and as a society. It is the hallmark of an advancing civilization - which should tell you something about where our mainstream media is today. Thank you so much for this, and I'll be looking for future posts from you, Erika.
And how exciting that we get to create the kind of media we want to see in the world! I'm glad you're here. π€I really appreciate your comment, @jenisefryatt. Thank you.
Racist are fools, me I am white, black, brown, greens, grey, everything. I love all colors, all races. Even if you are an alien, i β‘ u.
Haha, love you too, @cloudspyder. π½ππ
So do I have a choice who I want to hang out with or do society choose for me?
Personally, @ppktech, I don't trust society to make ANY choices for me!
"It's important to LISTEN to people you don't think you identify with."
I'm usually surprised, when I manage to muster the energy to really listen.
Ha, you're right, @surfyogi... real listening IS big work :-)
I generally avoid politics in discussion boards because I see no merit in doing so. But this time, I am glad I read your post, just for those 3 last minutes of the video. Firstly it was hilarious and I smiled, then I realized they are talking about burning down a church and finally I understood how important this story is: people like rev. Wade Watts are giving the best example. I can only imagine how satisfied this man would be at the transformation of such a hardcore KKK official as Mr Clary. And I do not think it has to be a reverend to make the difference, anyone can act by his brains instead of his brawn.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, @nyarlathotep. Rev. Watts is my behavioral hero. I intend to experience THAT kind of freedom... where you are so rooted in love, peace AND HUMOR (the secret missing ingredient, I now believe!) that literal flames of hate cannot get you to bow.
Great post with a great message. It's hard to find people with a mindset like yours but it's always refreshing to see!
Thank you :-)Aw, what a sweet thing to say, @shelbymonster!
Upvoted. Great video. I've tried to listen to all of Cantwell's interviews since the event. The guy went down a dark path. Such an intelligent person.
Much appreciated, @chieppa1 :-) Your kindness, and especially your opened mind. Darkness grabs. Light attracts. Cantwell isn't yet as bad as that KKK guy at the end of the vid. If Clary could reform, so can he.
He has always been angry. But it was targetted at the police and the state in the past. Mixed in with his dark NYC humor. His anger and isolation
I π πΌs!@cmoljoe:
Great conversation! On point!
Thanks, @solodadlikeaboss :-)
very well said!
Thanks, @brothermic :-)
You got my vote and a resteem :]
Thanks, @taylor.swift :-)
I do enjoy the story of Rev. Wade Watts and your lessons learned. The ignorance of our time is troubling but I believe it's a result of the system trying to assure it's dominance by dumbing everyone down and promoting collectivism and fear.
@mikeonfire: Thank goodness for the counter-system ;-)
Thank you, Erika. The internet needs more of this. Bad ideas can't effectively be fought through today's popular methods of shaming and violence.
Art, Beauty and Inspiration are much better tools to use.Totally agree, @lesliestarrohara.
Nice article! You hit it right on the head. I think the fundamental problem is collectivism. If we keep primarily identifying ourselves as part of some infinite entity such as race, nation, ethnicity, religion, there will never be progress.
what do you think is the best way for a human to identify itself?Thanks for your comment, @superfluousman! I tend to agree with you, but just for fun...
Cool question, thank you!
I think the best way for a human to identify themselves is as an individual first and foremost. Whatever interests and characteristics they associate themselves with or which cultural milieu they are part of what is makes them a unique person. So if you enjoy painting and take the time to participate in the art you are a painter.
Reminds me a lil' of "Hunger Games" lol
Great answer, @superfluousman! Thanks for it :-)
Do you thing that no progress has been made by creating these social constructs through the ages? Race, nation etc. is a natural progression of human being to learn and understand the universe.
Thanks for this deep engagement, @lasseehlers! I value the question you have asked so much, that I've written a separate post as your answer :-) I'll link to it here shortly.