Carlos Santana, Alice Cooper, Róisín Murphy, Dave Chappelle, J.K. Rowling, Harry Jowsey, Bette Midler, Macy Gray, Kevin Hart, John Cleese

  • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.org
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    3 years ago

    I find this kind of article discouraging for two different reasons. First, the initial statement that it makes, what’s on the surface. You see all these people making all these horrible comments and it’s sad.

    The other thing that’s just as discouraging to me is the reaction. From what I understand the best way to approach this kind of thing is through education and compassion, ultimately leading to conversion.

    You’ll never convince anyone by screaming at them and you’ll just bring yourself “to their level”

    What I would like to see instead It’s for everyone to be a little bit more like Daryl Davis. Now I understand that not everyone has the patience of Daryl Davis, but I think this man’s example is the ultimate model to follow.

    For those who don’t already know, Daryl Davis is an African American blues musician but spent his free time converting a couple hundred Klan members from being racist. I understand that’s a really clumsy way to say it but I really don’t have a better term for that because people don’t typically believe that people can be converted from racism. This dude did it.

    What I find really discouraging is that the anger, the vitriol, the pain at hearing these things come out of people’s faces is fully human, a natural response, a normal response. What I fear is that if we don’t all become like Daryl will none of us survive. What I fear is that it’s not fair to expect many people to become like Daryl at all.

    There’s just too much money to be made peddling rage.

      • Drewelite@lemmy.villa-straylight.social
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        3 years ago

        Ok well while they do that, they’re still voting and spreading their ideas to like minded individuals. I’m not saying we normalize their behavior. Fuck that backwards shit. But your dismissive attitude only serves to alleviate your own burden of interacting with them and entrenching them further in their hatred of those with other options.

        Feel free to disagree, because I definitely understand the mental difficulty of dealing with people that just want to hate. So I’d love an alternative. But treating people as disposable ain’t it, I’m afraid.

          • Drewelite@lemmy.villa-straylight.social
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            3 years ago

            If you wish them the same, do you expect them to suddenly start treating you with respect? If you find yourself in a mentally dangerous place after interacting with these people, I would suggest avoiding these interactions as much as possible. But if you have the capacity to bring them towards a better way of thinking with some respect, I sincerely suggest you do. I just don’t see how we’re going to get out of this cycle of hate without someone stepping up and trying to bridge the gap. I doubt the people that want you dead for just being yourself have the maturity to start that journey on their own.

              • Drewelite@lemmy.villa-straylight.social
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                3 years ago

                I believe the “fight” is to change their mind about trying to take away your rights. It may be anecdotal, but I’ve seen people’s minds change on this topic through respectful conversation. Never after being told to shut the fuck up. I can only imagine they’re more likely to vote against you and basic human rights after being told “eat my ass” by a trans rights supporter online.

        • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.org
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          3 years ago

          Thank you for responding with the eloquence that I simply do not have the mental energy to summon today. You’ve saved me some spoons. ❤️

      • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.org
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        3 years ago

        I’m open to different viewpoints, but I won’t engage in a conversation that’s filled with hostility.

    • Drewelite@lemmy.villa-straylight.social
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      3 years ago

      This comment restored a little of my faith in humanity today. Thanks. I know a lot of people understand this. But the loudest people on the internet don’t and that can be discouraging.

    • Ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      3 years ago

      Social change is created by social friction. It always has been and always will be.

      And you’re right, we won’t change the bigots and pull them out of bigotry. But they’re not the point. The goal is to challenge the social norms that they are creating, because it’s those norms that create new bigots.

      • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.org
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        3 years ago

        The existence of those norms makes bigotry possible, but I really don’t think that the norms are the biggest driver here. I believe that we are being intentionally pitted against each other. I think that is the real cause .

        • Ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          3 years ago

          Again, I will point out that social friction is how social change is brought about. Always. Every single time.

          What you’re asking for is to sustain the status quo, and that status quo wants us dead.

          • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.org
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            3 years ago

            Are there leagues of liberals uniting with conservatives and solving our common issues?

            Would that be the status quo?

            More than one way to skin a cat my friend.

            Divided, we fall.

            • Ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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              3 years ago

              Are there leagues of liberals uniting with conservatives and solving our common issues?

              No, because they want us dead.

              Would that be the status quo?

              No, that would be them wanting us dead

              Divided, we fall.

              They want us dead. It doesn’t get much more divided than that

              • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.org
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                3 years ago

                So… what you’re saying is… They want us dead?

                Just fn with ya. I get where you’re coming from. It makes sense.