So, is it just me, or does our class seem to have insanely serious discussions? From teen pregnancy to animal testing to the "N" word, we can't seem to help ourselves from smacking our hands down on the tables in rage, shooting our arms up in the air, and preparing to spit out our next set of steaming hot words (or, at the very least, from sitting there, fuming and gritting our teeth with frustration) when we don't agree with each other.
I'm not about to say that we need to stop fighting with each other. Au contraire, I think that. . .no, I know (from very personal experience) that keeping people from arguing out their discrepancies is the worst thing to do. Tensions strengthen. Nothing gets settled. It's just a mess.
I am, however, trying to say that I think people need to try taking a step back and a deep breath before they plunge into our discussions. (Don't worry--I'm definitely included in this varsity team of anxious conversation divers. Most of us are.) I just feel like the majority of us has a tendency to get lost in our own beliefs without considering how others are going to feel about what we say. Having someone attack your beliefs--even if they have the right to or didn't have the intention to--never feels good. I think we'd all be better off if we could try both giving other's opinions more of a chance and giving our own a little less credit.
We all have opinions and, hopefully, sturdy reasons to support them. That being said, we have to start accepting that no matter how much we raise our voices or how pink our faces turn, we're not going to be able to get everyone to agree with us. That's just not how things work.
Overall, I think that, for our next discussion, it would be wise of everyone to keep in mind an idea similar to this one that was presented by John Moore:
"Your opinion is your opinion, your perception is your perception--do not confuse them with 'facts' or 'truth'. Wars have been fought and millions have been killed because of the inability of men to understand the idea that EVERYBODY has a different viewpoint."
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I agree, we do all have very different opinions and we are entitled to these opinions. I think it's good that we have such in depth discussions in class because then everyone in the class can hear the different sides of the conflict, and maybe become more educated in their opinions.
ReplyDeleteMan, I really wish I could see your class. We stay pretty mellow most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI agree that continuing to discuss and argue is best. There needs to be respect for one and other, though. It sounds like you guys are getting melodramatic about things. YIKES
I agree with you completely Ali! I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for this class. It's ok that people argue or have other opinions, but it does make for a tense class period.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote too, by the way!
You are completely right. Our class gets pretty intense sometimes, but that's what makes it interesting for me. I like seeing people go back and forth with their opinions. It shows that there is more than one way to look at an issue and gives me more prespective on the topic as well.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, our class has insane discussions because we have people who can't even consider viewing the other sides point of view. They refuse to give in and that results in arguing! But arguing is fun!!!
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