I personally have yet to undergo an "across the aisle" moment on the specific issue of gender. What I do find is that, as someone who learned their politics at a time when left-wing politics was still unequivocally grounded in Enlightenment rationality and democratic universalism, it is becoming easier for me to get along with, and engage in dialogue with, people who aren't on the left but who do base their politics on Enlightenment rationality and democratic universalism, than with those on the left whose leftism is grounded in something else.
I was raised in a home with a Reagan Republican dad and a Union member Democrat mom. They taught that we need people with different values to keep our country's path somewhat straight. Mom likened it to rowing a canoe - you need to change sides or you run into the bank.
I am pro-human. As long as my conversation partner can simply respect me as a fellow human, I'm good.
We have many hurting and scared people in this country. We also have plenty of people who assume that anyone who doesn't share their values is unworthy. I have compassion on the first group and am always exasperated with the latter. Yes, I have encountered both types at both ends of the left-right spectrum.
Politicians benefit from intensifying and amplifying polarization
Being relational means resisting that egocentricity in favor of differentiation and mutual accommodation
I know this sounds idealistic but it’s what informs my work as a couples therapist and I try to live by it as my own form of activism
One of my proudest moments was when I took my 85 year old mom to the polls during the pandemic knowing she would cast her vote for Trump and though I hate to think what would have happened had he won I would like to think I would still stand by that act of defiance
I’m wondering why you are posting this anti-Semitic content here? Have you personally had negative interactions with Jews around issues of sexuality and gender? And why are you posting these links as replies to other people’s comments, rather than as your own response to this post? And why choose to respond in this way on a post about how to cross bridges? I’m very curious about your motivation.
Ever since the mid-1990s, when I went through the process of divorcing my suddenly demanding, crossdressing husband, I found right-of-center friends to be much more sympathetic. Many of my Lefty friends said insensitive things like, "But everyone can see he's effeminate." Or they'd tell me I haven't given this new version of marriage "a real chance." I crossed many supposed friends off my list. It's a mindset issue--Lefties must encompass the entire platform of the Left wing, or they're disloyal to the cause and "not real" in their own minds. It's such a demanding roster of required beliefs as to be too fragile to accommodate "debate." Hence, "no debate." Iin the end it leads to liimited, illogical thinking.
Grumpy old Uber-conservative and very non-MAGA boomer I am, so I never figured on being a cheerleader for a radical feminist, but so it turned out. Kara Dansky of WDI (and formerly WoLF) has proven to be a splendid voice of sanity on “gender,” and a delightful colleague over the years. It can be done, and it can be a joy. There are others, but some stories cannot yet be told.
I personally have yet to undergo an "across the aisle" moment on the specific issue of gender. What I do find is that, as someone who learned their politics at a time when left-wing politics was still unequivocally grounded in Enlightenment rationality and democratic universalism, it is becoming easier for me to get along with, and engage in dialogue with, people who aren't on the left but who do base their politics on Enlightenment rationality and democratic universalism, than with those on the left whose leftism is grounded in something else.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=B2cnnraCL8Ngqzwu&v=FzUbITZuUt4&feature=youtu.be
Oh jeez. I tried to remove the Nazi guy but I removed your comment instead! Sorry! Put it back please!!
Wrong place for this unrelated response.
I was raised in a home with a Reagan Republican dad and a Union member Democrat mom. They taught that we need people with different values to keep our country's path somewhat straight. Mom likened it to rowing a canoe - you need to change sides or you run into the bank.
I am pro-human. As long as my conversation partner can simply respect me as a fellow human, I'm good.
We have many hurting and scared people in this country. We also have plenty of people who assume that anyone who doesn't share their values is unworthy. I have compassion on the first group and am always exasperated with the latter. Yes, I have encountered both types at both ends of the left-right spectrum.
Thanks for your work! Keep it up.
Love this. Reminds me of the perspective Tim Urban shared in What's Our Problem.
I haven't read that book. It's on my list.
Politicians benefit from intensifying and amplifying polarization
Being relational means resisting that egocentricity in favor of differentiation and mutual accommodation
I know this sounds idealistic but it’s what informs my work as a couples therapist and I try to live by it as my own form of activism
One of my proudest moments was when I took my 85 year old mom to the polls during the pandemic knowing she would cast her vote for Trump and though I hate to think what would have happened had he won I would like to think I would still stand by that act of defiance
I’m wondering why you are posting this anti-Semitic content here? Have you personally had negative interactions with Jews around issues of sexuality and gender? And why are you posting these links as replies to other people’s comments, rather than as your own response to this post? And why choose to respond in this way on a post about how to cross bridges? I’m very curious about your motivation.
Ever since the mid-1990s, when I went through the process of divorcing my suddenly demanding, crossdressing husband, I found right-of-center friends to be much more sympathetic. Many of my Lefty friends said insensitive things like, "But everyone can see he's effeminate." Or they'd tell me I haven't given this new version of marriage "a real chance." I crossed many supposed friends off my list. It's a mindset issue--Lefties must encompass the entire platform of the Left wing, or they're disloyal to the cause and "not real" in their own minds. It's such a demanding roster of required beliefs as to be too fragile to accommodate "debate." Hence, "no debate." Iin the end it leads to liimited, illogical thinking.
Grumpy old Uber-conservative and very non-MAGA boomer I am, so I never figured on being a cheerleader for a radical feminist, but so it turned out. Kara Dansky of WDI (and formerly WoLF) has proven to be a splendid voice of sanity on “gender,” and a delightful colleague over the years. It can be done, and it can be a joy. There are others, but some stories cannot yet be told.