One thing I did less of in the past year was posting things I thought, but that I knew would create problems if I said them. Is this an improvement or a failure on my part? You should have seen how many things I started writing, but then deleted.
I didn't do it perfectly-- I still posted some thoughts I probably should have kept to myself. At least, judging by the responses.
On the other hand, I'm not really sure that was an improvement.
I hate the idea that there are thoughts people keep to themselves to avoid conflict, but I get it. Sometimes I don't feel like dealing with angry responses. Is this how evil ideas are allowed to spread and become something "everyone knows"; people don't feel like speaking out against them because of the response from those who want to push the ideas?
Does this make me complicit, just to make things easier for myself? Is this something I should continue to strive to do more of or something I should try to stop doing? I don't know.
-
Consider subscribing or donating.
I couldn't do this without your support.
I used to write about politics all the time, and one of the reasons I stopped was I didn't want to deal with the blowback from the crazed haters on the other side, especially the ones who were shocked to be described as hateful. I also worry that this is how evil triumphs — the old "good men not speaking out" thing. Selfishly, I'm OK with it because I'm more comfortable writing about not-politics more than I write about politics. Ahmad Jamal, for example, is more interesting than Nancy Pelosi anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe haters on the other side don't bother me too much, it's my own side that's able to get to me.
DeleteI believe that it a general benefit to speak your mind. Conflict is like the tango, it takes two, and if you ignore the responses then you are spared the conflict. The only thing it is prudent to keep to your self is that which someone (with the power to do so) may use to hurt and harm you. Of course, in a society where there are those who think that even your thoughts are under their control, determining what words might harm you becomes somewhat problematic.
ReplyDeleteYou never know for certain what's going to trigger someone. There are some things you know for sure will, though.
Delete