A Different Way to Think

Let’s face it, unless we’re weak minded followers we’re all bigoted about something we strongly believe in.  It may be religion, or politics, or even sports.  There is value in bigotry in protecting the things we value and sparking debates that may enlighten us to some things we may not know about.  It is important, however, to be aware of one’s bigotry and know when to just let it go.  Let’s face it, Obama could have gotten way more done if he spent more time working and less time using angry rhetoric to try to shame Republicans into doing what he wants by trying to turn America against them.

In practical, real life usage, it’s important to know when your bigotry is inappropriate and when it sets boundaries that others should know about.  For example.  I try to avoid talking about politics at work because everyone is strong in their beliefs and feelings can be hurt or friendships impacted.  However, at times the more bigoted Obama supporters talk about how the racist world is after their savior.  I could respond by just telling the truth about Obama (notice the bigotry), but I try to be more calculated.  I wait until they start a more outlandish claim, then I respond with fact.

For example, they might say rich white people are not hiring people so the economy stays bad to hurt Obama.  I then respond by asking “would you spend money on hiring right now with a president claiming your already high taxes aren’t high enough, then increasing your burden with more regulation and more expenses like healthcare replacement?”  They’ll still believe what they believe, but they now see me as not the average black guy who would join in on the workplace chatter.  They might see me as someone they don’t want involved in their conversation and stop talking about the messiah altogether when I’m around.

It’s also important to not get involved in strong debate with people who are just as bigoted as you.  Getting in an argument with a liberal about fiscal responsibility does nothing but cause the liberal to call you racist and cold.  This will no doubt cause you to try to say they are childish and not intelligent.  This is fine in some settings, but you really don’t want that kind of back and forth at work.

I recently saw a somewhat conservative black coworker and a liberal white coworker get in a debate with someone about the movie “Conan”.  They argued that there is no way the remake could be good because Arnold Schwarzenegger IS Conan.  The person they were arguing with countered that they can’t say a movie is bad without seeing it, and that the movie is based on comics so anyone could be Conan.  The two bigots then basically told the guy to grow up because he is too old to be so dumb.  In one argument, one person came across as weak and unassertive and two people came across as ignorant jerks…at work.

So in closing, it’s fine to be bigoted about things you believe in, just try not to let it affect relationships or other people’s view of them.  You can use it to seen thoughtful and intelligent, or you can make yourself look like an ignorant ass.  And remember, the only time it’s good to be an ignorant ass is when you’re on the Internet.