It seems to me that there are two prevailing mindsets at work in our country today. One is suspicious of anyone who is different--religion, race, sexual orientation, to name some of the biggies, though it can come down to something as ridiculous as which brand of mayo, or whether you like grits.
This mindset can feel threatened by any lifestyle different than their own. For example, the folks who feel that gay marriage threatens the sanctity of straight marriage (already rather threatened by divorce and infidelity.) Or all the fuss over transgender folks in restrooms. The most dangerous though, in my opinion, are the "Christian" white nationalists who fear being "replaced" by people of color or of different religions.
The other mindset is more open to differences, happy to welcome various ethnicities (and their food!) and religions and even gender diversity. This mindset may not understand or wish to emulate the others--but it's willing at least to live and let live and and, at best, to see an opportunity to learn more about our magnificent, varied humankind.
6 comments:
How can we free the former mindset from their fears?
Good question. Perhaps if those of the second mindset demonstrate through their own lives the joys and benefits of tolerance, some will lose their fear. But I sure don't expect miracles.
Or maybe conservatives vs. liberals? It's a strange condition, sort of like going to basketball games where rival teams think the other one is so different, but then the players actually can change sides.
Liberals can be every bit as intolerant of the other side as rightwingers. I see that in myself.
Me too, alas!
The awful liberals just tend to want everyone to live a good life. Cos want all to live a proper life according to their own definition.
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