You CAN Speak Up… Not Run and Hide.
Perceptions
I can't truly speak to how rampant the sentiment is but it seems that some believe that because a few individuals have not learned the finer points of a more elevated manner ofconversation online (Particularly on facebook) that it appears we should abandon discussion altogether.
They seem to say:
"We should leave our thoughts, our ideas, our beliefs, our leanings to the wayside... talk about the weather and sports and who won what on the newest reality show."
Because we mess up in our conversations and offend to often, or others are so prone to offense, that we should just give up!
"Politics is too Hot" and "religion is too Hot" we should stay away from talking about any of these things.
People say stupid things and people get upset and it seems like their response of this un-numbered few is to give up and crawl back into a hole because no one will fight if no one every says anything of import or comes out of their bedrooms and out from behind their TVs and novels.
Elevate... not run away
The solution is not to run and hide... but as in every aspect of human interaction and communication... the answer is to raise the bar.
I have not been perfect in this aspect but I will not get there by: not trying, by giving up and by not standing for something.
So I'm here saying you can say what you think.
But, Just because you can say whatever you want it doesn't mean you should.
Elevate the things you say and how you say it (and I'm not just talking about grammar) I'm talking about the meaning of what you say and the logic and thought behind them.
Use true principles to be a guide for what you do.
Yes you can discuss (On Facebook, on your blogs in your conversations with others) all those things that will "elevate the minds" of your friends and this country as John Adams would say.
You can show those that do participate in "back-biting" and illogical arguments and derisive and unfounded labeling and derision of ideas because of a lack of eloquence... show them the better way. Show them you can elevate your own conversation. Show them what the better method is.
Patience... it won't happen over night.
My Challenge
I will elevate my conversation and often that will mean not using the quick and easy barb to disparage another individual; even when they set themselves up for possible attack or ridicule.
Never to use the cunning manipulations of language to take someone down by their grammar, spelling or lack of eloquence. But to find common ground, understand ideas and to receive and provide education where appropriate.
I will discuss to the best of my ability a principle and defend it and challenge others on their stance and accept truth in any form or fashion it comes and never treat discussion like a competition where one side has to win and the other therefore looses. But I will discuss vigorously, argue passionately and hopefully inspire and be inspired.
Extend your views... Elevate the Minds
"It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn."
George Washington, 1789"It should be your care, therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children and exalt their courage; to accelerate and animate their industry and activity; to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice and inhumanity, and an ambition to excel in every capacity, faculty, and virtue. If we suffer their minds to grovel and creep in infancy, they will grovel all their lives."
John Adams, 1756
