Politics Over Friendships?
This week I watched "How our friendship survives our opposing politics", which is a Ted Talk discussing how two women were able to maintain a friendship despite their opposing political views. The main idea is that these women were able to find the middle ground and communicate with reason and not emotion. I thought it was interesting that these women could still be so close even though they share different political ideologies. That ultimately made me wonder if they were still such great friends even after Trump took off his ugly shoe and stomped all over this country. I looked them up on Facebook in hopes that they blocked each other because of the tension and hatred the latest election created. I thought for sure they couldn't still be friends. Unfortunately I couldn't manage to find them on any social media platform, therefore leaving the end of this story; an open book.
I also find it interesting how two people of different beliefs can be friends despite what they believe politically.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my blog. I'm glad you agree! Are you friends with anyone with different political views?
DeleteI think that right now, it needs to be realized that politic views don't define a person completely. I also agree that people need to learn to communicate with reason and not emotion.
ReplyDeleteI understand your point of view. I think politics should be based on reason, but we are humans after all, meaning we are emotional beings. Sometimes policies seem great on the outside but when you look deeper you'll see that some people aren't receiving full benefits of the policies. You can reason the policy is great for the country as a whole, but empathy reveals it may not be the best for individuals. Basically politics have to contain some emotion, or else what are we? Robots?
DeleteWhat did the women say helped them to get over the tension they originally felt because of their difference of opinion? Certainly this is an important idea in this time period.
ReplyDeleteThey mentioned how they would talk through something if one of the women misunderstood the purpose behind their actions or words. For example, the conservative woman got upset because the other woman brought her sons to a women's march. The conservative woman didn't understand the reason behind this and was upset. They talked through the frustration and confusion and the conservative woman was able to understand the other women's intentions.
DeleteThis is a very relevant topic these days, a challenge that many of us probably have encountered, as well. I'm sure it's rather difficult for them, especially if they are as passionate about their political views as many of the key political figures are today. Being passionate about something is usually a good thing but not when it overshadows reason, compassion and mutual understanding. I'm not sure if the TED Talk mentions specifics, but it would be great to list a few ways in which they were able to find "common ground" or how they managed to keep a particular issue from coming between them. I'm with you, I'm curious where they stand today. It's not easy, I can imagine.
ReplyDeleteLily, This is a great topic in our divided country right now. The fact that so many people have responded to your blog shows that you have selected a topic of high interest. I know of people going through this situation right now and it is indeed difficult. I think many of these stories are still 'an open book'. I enjoyed your blog, nice work.
ReplyDeleteMr Roye