Perfectly said. As I mentioned earlier, this is also something that has been troubling me a lot in recent years and you managed to put into words what I really couldn't express.
We all have labels, but in the end we're all still people. And sometimes that gets lost in the shuffle.
This is really well-said, V. I especially like this: At the end of the day, I value every friendship I have, especially with those who view the world differently from me. They keep me aware, alert, unsure, and occasionally uncomfortable, which is how we grow and change and be better people.
I keep trying to remind myself (and friends...and family members and...), when I get frustrated because someone can't see my point of view (because it happens because I'm human and have my own weaknesses and failures) that the world would be very boring if we all were exactly the same. We need all those differences--all the different pieces and parts that each person brings to the table-- to function as a society.
In real life one tends to interact with others closer to one's own 'norm', I guess; it's only natural, since many are work colleagues and family. But the online world is a whole different story. My online education in psychology took place in the HP fandom rather than yours of social media. An amazing diversity of people, both good and bad. Idiots, dingbats, viciously stupid; intelligent, creative, imaginative, loving. The whole spectrum, opening my eyes to behaviour I'd never thought about previously. It wasn't the reason I entered the fandom but I've marvelled over the years at the psychological cases I've witnessed therein.
Like you I was fascinated by how many folk use 'labels' as *excuses* to cowardly retreat from a discussion:
They give people an immediate pass to stop analyzing, stop thinking, stop empathizing - because the label comes fully outfitted with an elaborately constructed excuse not to care.Exactly. Perfectly put. I don't know how many times in a HP debate my opponent would label me as a 'Harmionian' or a '
( ... )
There is a lot of enemy-building that ends up happening not only when labels are assigned and used to marginalize, but even when they are enthusiastically embraced in the name of something positive. Ultimately I think for there to be progress in trying to have more cordial, productive dialog (online and elsewhere), we all have to turn our critical eye inward - first and foremost. That is something I think you do quite well in addition to actively pursuing inclusivity and a loving mindset. Love in our hearts is the easy part.
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We all have labels, but in the end we're all still people. And sometimes that gets lost in the shuffle.
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I keep trying to remind myself (and friends...and family members and...), when I get frustrated because someone can't see my point of view (because it happens because I'm human and have my own weaknesses and failures) that the world would be very boring if we all were exactly the same. We need all those differences--all the different pieces and parts that each person brings to the table-- to function as a society.
Reply
Like you I was fascinated by how many folk use 'labels' as *excuses* to cowardly retreat from a discussion:
They give people an immediate pass to stop analyzing, stop thinking, stop empathizing - because the label comes fully outfitted with an elaborately constructed excuse not to care.Exactly. Perfectly put. I don't know how many times in a HP debate my opponent would label me as a 'Harmionian' or a ' ( ... )
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