Calm Down Rik

Anyone who has read my “rants” probably has figured out that I write in a stream of conscienceness. I don’t plan out my words. Yes sometimes I think about the subject before I start. But mostly I just get riled up and my fingers start thinking for themselves. Today, however, I have actually given quite a bit of thought to the subject. And l am not pissed off or riled up! Not that I wrote an outline or anything like that. But it is something that has been brewing in my head for a while. Now I just have to let my fingers do the talking.

Most people believe what their tribe believes. The group that surrounds people has to be alike in culture. Thoughts or beliefs that are anti to the tribe can result in feeling alone, left out, ostracized. People want to belong, they want to be part of the tribe. Anyone attempting to correct their beliefs is turned away and considered dangerous to the culture.

Arguing with someone who has strong-held beliefs can be frustrating if you believe they are wrong. The more one feels that their opinions are being discounted the stronger those opinions can become. No one wants to hear that they are wrong. And no one wants to bullied by those who cannot believe themselves to be wrong.

So let’s calm down and have civil arguments, proper debates and social gatherings where we can discuss and debate all sides of beliefs and opinions. Name calling and doomsday predictions will not bring sides to the table. We are a country of differences. That is what makes up our “American Culture”. We have hundreds, if not thousands, or sub-cultures within our borders but we all have common threads.

We want to be heard

We want to be believed

We want to be free

We want to count

I want to believe what I want to believe. I also want to listen to those who think differently. I need to know that I can be wrong and that I can change my mind when I find out. Others need to listen and know also.

There is nothing that can Make America Great Again more so than the acceptance of our differences and the commitment to understanding in what and why another believes. Politics, social hierarchies, financial class, none of these matter in the end. There will always be conservatives and liberals, upper class and lower class, rich and poor. That is what our country is made of. Muhammed Ali said it best “Different strokes for different folks”. (Truly it was Ali who is considered the first to use this phrase. Not Sly Stone.)

In just a few days we will hold, what is considered to be, one of the most important elections in our history. You all know where I stand. But now I am ready to listen to intelligent arguments. I hope that all of you out there will exercise your right to vote (only once) and that before voting you will search your conscience and make sure you are voting what you really believe and not just what your tribe says is right.

Let’s all calm down a bit.