Erin Schnabel
Aug 26, 2017 · 3 min read

Remember our shared humanity

I am not usually a writer of prose. I have forgotten the art of cogent essay writing as it got buried by tweets and the syntax and brevity of code. But an appeal, to all of us, has been percolating in the back of my head. It keeps me awake. It wants to get out.

We treat each other like garbage, especially online. We know the rule, “Don’t feed the trolls”, but seem not to realize when we become trolls hurling insults and snark with unrepentant glee. None of us have clean hands.

We need to remember how to talk to each other, especially when our opinions differ the most. I confess that I have no tolerance for the racial superiority card: it has no merit. I suspect every white supremacist is a mutt, whether or not they want to acknowledge it. I found the following two stories inspiring:

There are so many more. A search for ‘recovering racist’ brings a plethora of blog posts that all share the same kernel of truth: those of us born to privilege (white males being the most privileged) are biased, consciously or not. Are you aware of that bias? And if so, do you feed or confront it? We know that minds can be changed. We also know that being called names is not very encouraging. Both of the stories above provide examples of how to confront racism in particular.

I thought Susan Fowler’s now notorious blog about the conditions at Uber was excellent because it presents her experience in a way that encourages empathy and compassion without “playing the victim card.” (Which is not a phrase that suggests an open mind, just by the way).

Where am I going with this? I did warn you — I lost the ability to write a focused essay somewhere along the way….

Liberty and Justice for all is a core tenant of our country, and yet we have actors actively agitating that only some people should have a shot at the American dream, using social norms from over 200 years ago as justification. Our founding fathers were philosophers, who were well aware that many of the first settlers of this country were fleeing religious prosecution (most were even Christian! But they were the wrong kind).

We can’t form a more perfect Union while people are threatening violence. The hand-wringing and mud-slinging has to stop. Do you fear for your country? Then do as I am doing and write something positive. Speak up, so we don’t cede the floor entirely to hate-mongers.

Be aware of your world view, and in which ways that makes you vulnerable to propaganda. George Lakoff has great material to start with. While he does focus on the conservative viewpoint, there are weaknesses for liberals, too.

Participate on twitter, on facebook, on reddit, on whatever, but be cognizant: are you helping to unite or deepening the divide?

Peace.

)

Written by

Coder. Progressive. Pro-choice. Mom. IBM-er. Geek. Atheist. etc. These tweets are (obviously!) my own.

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