From my blog last Saturday, I got more response and with much more passion than my earlier ones. No surprise there, as discrimination painted in any color is going to stir more feelings than comments on the value of listening or how important learning is for all of us. What I want to say today is how important it is that our expression of outrage be effective. I want our push for change to be done in such a way that we actually reach undecided folks who are potentially open to listening and eventually joining the cause.
That means the messages we use should clearly state our position but in a more positive, constructive way and not be done to simply throw fuel on the fire. I say this acknowledging that, for the angry, it is not an easy step. However, real progress will come only when more of the large, moderate middle feel comfortable joining what they then see as a more mainstream movement that can lead to broader advancement of ideas and change for the better.
Unfortunately, all too often, what the media reports is the over-the-top, extreme communications of hate. Anyone who is neutral at this point will be turned off by this. We need to find ways to communicate our message with passion but without treating the opposition with disrespect. We must strongly stand up for what we believe, without trashing anyone with a different view.
I want to see change that is in the direction of accepting others who might be different. I want tolerance to be a hallmark for how we treat anyone who sees the world differently. That begins with each one of us, one by one, doing our part. We Kansans have much to do, but that can be said about others as well. The folks ready to join a commonsense approach are out there. We just need to be smart in our actions on this and all the other changes that need to be made.
That means the messages we use should clearly state our position but in a more positive, constructive way and not be done to simply throw fuel on the fire. I say this acknowledging that, for the angry, it is not an easy step. However, real progress will come only when more of the large, moderate middle feel comfortable joining what they then see as a more mainstream movement that can lead to broader advancement of ideas and change for the better.
Unfortunately, all too often, what the media reports is the over-the-top, extreme communications of hate. Anyone who is neutral at this point will be turned off by this. We need to find ways to communicate our message with passion but without treating the opposition with disrespect. We must strongly stand up for what we believe, without trashing anyone with a different view.
I want to see change that is in the direction of accepting others who might be different. I want tolerance to be a hallmark for how we treat anyone who sees the world differently. That begins with each one of us, one by one, doing our part. We Kansans have much to do, but that can be said about others as well. The folks ready to join a commonsense approach are out there. We just need to be smart in our actions on this and all the other changes that need to be made.
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