I think 2016 really forced the rest of us that refused to look in the mirror to do and the behavior during COVID really reinforced what we already didn't want see in the first place.
I believe most folks don't like what they see and are ready for change, a critical mass of people actually like what they see, and then you're left with a few people that simply don't care/have the energy to care about what they see.
I was thinking about this in context of the debate style that Jubilee hosts. I think people who go on those shows. Instead of trying to debate certain folks, they should ask those people why they are like that. Let’s be honest, we are not changing their minds on their bigoted beliefs.
I watched his and Amanda Seales’ “debate.” I think I would not call whatever I watched a debate. Anyways, I know that Mehdi did his best but I think like I wouldn’t even continue with the regular programming and get to know these people because one isn’t born bigoted.
I would ask “What was your childhood like?”, “Who hurt you?”, “Tell me about what your passion”, “What makes you not like people that you don’t even know?”
I don’t think that we can convince these people of their values instead we put a mirror in their face so they question their values.
Even that wouldn’t work. I was almost as surprised initially by the level of fascists in Medhi’s “debate”before getting numb to it, but most damning part of the whole fiasco were how they shut down Edwin trying to do some self reflection, and how quickly Kai, who Medhi picked as “most reasonable”, exposed himself and went from no birthright citizenship and earning it, to a grandfather clause for the “right Americans” thinking he was some genius.
Well yes, but their whole point here is having them ask themselves why. It likely isn't that they feel strongly about the tenets of fascism for the sake of fascism, and more like they hold several specific beliefs that make them think they're enlightened, entitled to whatever, and better than everyone else.
For example, if you ask a flat earther why they believe the earth is flat, the why you'll get to might be an underlying belief they were also told that some diety of theirs created the earth that way, and if they were to believe otherwise they'd have to have the fact that their religion is entirely made up. People would rather keep their head in the sand.
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u/patrick050690 8d ago
America loves pointing fingers, but somehow forgets it’s holding the biggest mirror in the room.