I was the girl who got rocks thrown at her when she showed up at high school parties… because she just moved there and didn’t fit in. The girl who dressed in her own way, had her own style, and always spoke her mind, regardless of what others might think.
That girl got beat down, my friends. With piles and piles of rocks.
As I got older, I learned not to make waves as a form of self-preservation. I don’t handle confrontation well, and in fact it usually makes me physically ill. I’ve learned to pick my battles, and in the mean time – I don’t rock the boat unless I have to.
However, as I wade through the current flood of political chatter, I find myself amazed at the number of people who will not accept another person’s point of view as just that: another person’s point of view. The rocks are flying, and the young girl in me wants to step up for the “black sheep” who are receiving the brunt of the blows.
Attacking people for being different is just wrong. And telling them that they are wrong because they are different is sending a host of other messages, realized or not.
If someone has come to an educated decision about their political beliefs, and is not afraid to stand up for them, why must people try to break that person into submission? Would it be better for them to blindly follow the shepherd, not knowing if they are being led off the edge of a cliff?
Is it better to choose a candidate who resembles your own beliefs, or one that mirrors the beliefs of people who want to bully others into conforming? And as people throw those proverbial rocks, do they truly believe that they are representing the best side of their candidate?
I have gained much respect for both liberals and conservatives who are able to debate issues with the respectful understanding that other people are entitled to have a different opinion. That policies can be discussed without trying to force someone into changing their mind.
As for the rock slingers, you’ve caused me to stand up and willingly rock the boat.
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7 replies on “Rock the Boat”
Great post! This election has brought out the best and worst in people. It’s been interesting and there are still 2 months left to go!
Speaking personally, if someone tries to bully me into doing something, it just makes me more determined to do the opposite. :0)
Thanks! You’re awesome.
I think something people can exercise no matter what their beliefs are is tolerance. It makes us human and not just a box of ideas walking around (like robots). Great post.
Great point. Very well said. Amen sista!
The emails that float around are the most hateful. Watch out for those!
Well said! Disagreeing, even on huge issues, does not have to involve personal attacks or nastiness. The greatest thing about this country is that we are free to view things as we will and say what we want. I love discussions about the issues because I have so much to learn, but I hate ‘politics’ in general because things can get so nasty. I think you rocked the boat in a great way here!
Well put, my friend. Well put!
I am like you in the sense that confrontation makes me ill. It is something that I try to avoid at all costs unless I’m uber-passionate about the issue.
amen, sista! i think they threw rocks in high school because you were pretty AND smart. too much competition. take this and go with it, my friend! 🙂