Personally, there is nothing worse than carefully explaining
my political stance, evidence et al., truly believing that I have a justifiably
sound opinion on the subject, only to be labelled by someone as a generic
‘whiny liberal’. Our generation constantly faces these stereotypes and labels,
and it makes carrying on a debate or a discussion so much more difficult.
There’s no substantial counter argument, nothing of substance to debate
against, and it only makes us cling more strongly to that opinion which has
been left fundamentally unchallenged.
However, as much as we are victims of this generalised
discourse, I would argue that we dole out our fair share of labels as well. How
many times do we brush off the older generations opinions, blaming the archaic
society they were brought up in for their out-of-touch views, labels such as ‘the
generation who destroyed the economy’? It appears that, when confronted with an
opinion we don’t agree with, we have in some respects followed in the footsteps
of the generations who came before us, finding it easier to stick a label on
someone and put them in their political, generational, or ideological box
rather than confronting the issue at hand and picking apart why they hold their
opinion in the first place.
The more ominous aspect of this reality, however, is evident
in the generalisations we have given recently to different groups of people. For
example: Trump supporters are misogynists, and leave voters are uneducated
racists. Granted there will be people in these categories that fit particular
stereotypes, but in giving people these labels, we build walls rather than
breaking them down, which is only encouraging polarisation. Nobody wants to be
portrayed as ‘the bad guy’ in society - everyone believes his or her opinion to
be justified - so applying a label to someone without fully understanding their
argument only alienates people and makes them defensive. It will not suddenly
shock them out of their opinion, but it will succeed in building a culture of
resentment. We risk more than ever in an age of technology where so many
opinions are available to us creating an ‘us and them’ environment: an online
pitched battle with anger and insults preventing debate and no one having the
core of their opinions challenged.
The best example of how powerful truly understanding a
person’s point of view can be – whether political, religious, ethical or other
– is Megan Phelps-Roper, an ex-member of Westboro Baptist Church. Rather than
labelling her as an anti-Semite and a homophobe (despite the fact she picketed
against Jews and Homosexuals on countless occasions), individuals online took
time to listen to her experiences, understanding why she held such
controversial opinions. Everyone’s point of view stems from an experience or
logic that is real and justifiable to them,
and we can never expect to understand someone’s point of view if we never
take the time to listen. These individuals were then able to debate with her
the flaws in her logic, and ultimately help her to see there was a kinder way
of thinking and behaving (Watch her TED talk here).
It is becoming essential that we take the time to listen to
one another, refraining from the initial indignation that some opinions may
bring and digging deeper in order to build an environment where someone’s right
to their own opinion is realised. The other plus side of taking this approach
is that people with truly divisive opinions are drawn out into the open, where
the flaws in their arguments can be highlighted and truly undermined.
Otherwise, we risk alienating these people, leaving them with only those with
similar opinions, which breeds distrust and division. Though it may be arduous
with it being easier to condemn or insult someone’s opinion in 140 characters,
enquiring further about what lies behind said opinion is not only less
divisive, but so much more effective.
Generalising Our Generation as 'Whiny Liberals' is Not a Counter Argument | Chloe Bayliss
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