To attempt to answer these questions, I wish not to discuss these contemporary issues, but look historically. Growing up watching cartoons and playing video games like Red Dead Redemption, I had a fascination with the Wild West and knew of names of famous outlaws such as Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy. But now I’m a little bit older I found I wanted to know more about who they really were. I started by reading a biography of American Outlaw Jesse James. Having heard of his daring train robberies and desire to not hurt innocents; he seemed to be a classic hero. But delving into his background as a confederate rebel fighting against the Union, the roots of his political background are very problematic. Alive during a racist turmoil in Missouri Jesse James himself probably fell on the wrong side. With such differencing views to my own, could I separate the man from the context? The answer really should be no. Of course contextually the prejudices are inherited but you can’t just forgive the man himself because of the time he happened to exist in. I wonder if the same can be said about public school boy’s preference for right-wing economics.
What is then the solution to problematic ideas? At first, I and many others would cry education, but the trouble with politics is that two perfectly educated people can still have a disagreement. If the only solution to ignorance was education, then we would hope that problematic views would recede through discussion. However this is not what the election aftermath has shown, in fact the existence of these arguments seems itself to reveal more and more aggression. The very existence of the argument enrages more people causing it to spread as the research mentioned earlier had shown. Do not however mistake me for saying we shouldn’t talk about it. The only way to implement change is having a voice that is heard and received. But don’t be surprised if an argument erupts. The funny thing is that arguing against an idea will seemingly strengthen it as much as the idea you propose.
How do you then deal with problematic ideas? In short it would seem you just have to. Attempt to convince people of your viewpoint but don’t be too surprised if this bursts into an argument. Arguments lead to attention which leads to information. I’m not trying to say that people won’t change their opinion; I change my opinion almost as much as I state it. But respect appears to be the way forward. In the end you may just have to disagree with everyone, but that doesn’t mean you have to be disagreeable.
TO DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE — JONNY PENN