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In these instances, context matters a lot. Coworker: "My younger brother was killed in Iraq in 2007." You: "I voted for Bush." I'm sure you can see why Cowor
by twoquestions 9y ago
In these instances, context matters a lot.
Coworker: "My younger brother was killed in Iraq in 2007."
You: "I voted for Bush."
I'm sure you can see why Coworker wouldn't be pleased by your statement in this instance. I'm on the Left working at an oil company, so I feel your pain. It helps if you want to talk about these things to shift their Overton window slowly, not to expect tolerance for unthinkable actions right out of the gate (it's not right, but that's how it is).
Liberals and Left-wingers are people too, and thus are vulnerable to the same tribal bullshit that some (luckily few) people on the Right and (luckily) fewer people on the Left are proud of. Despite all effort, you (general and specific) and they can't stop from feeling these tribal in-group feelings any more than they can just stop feeling thirsty after a day of not drinking any water.
EDIT: One of these days I should write a post, How to Talk About Politics with People Who Disagree With You.
- peoplewindow 9y agoI agree with what you say, but your example of context seems to (unconsciously?) reflect your own politics. What if the coworker's brother signed up specifically to go to Iraq because he truly believed in the mission? What if the coworker's family viewed him as an all American hero? In that case, why would the coworker be upset? Your conversation leading to upset is based in the assumption that the coworker already shares your worldview in regard to the Iraq war. It's one I share too, so I can see why that'd be automatic, but I've met and known people who fought in Iraq. They didn't exactly seem ashamed!