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14 responses to “what i said yesterday, does it ring true?”
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Anthem by Leonard Cohen live in London 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wRYjtvIYK0LikeLike
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It does ring true. Context is everything, and we can’t know the motivation behind people’s choices. It’s good to be reminded of this. It’s good to put a pause on my reaction when I see pro trump propaganda and remember that it’s not all based in greed and hate. But even in it’s best reasons, support for the right wing agenda is so misguided. This man and his family’s lives are not going to be better in the long run with more Trump. I think I need to figure out how to have a dialogue with all of the Alans. I spend so much time talking about these things with people that agree with me and our conversations are all full of outrage and anger. I have no idea how to have a productive conversation with people I disagree with.
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Yes it does.
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Does it ring true…? Well, in theory yes. I say theory because I have yet to open my front door and cross over and speak to my neighbor. The disconnect of a Mexican American supporting this President, in light of the many hateful, wrong doings against Latinos by this administration, is so strongly with me. Yet economic security is what drove my immigrant parents to come here from Spain; their piece of the American dream was owning their own home, and hoping that their children would get a good education, (both came true.) It’s what matters to my neighbor Alan as well…Still,even after listening to the Van Jones link, (thanks Cheryl) I find that I have to do some more digging within myself, have a deeper conversation with myself before I can have it with my neighbor.
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Perhaps we can find a way to be glad for your neighbor that he is not disillusioned with Trump and the rancor he has unleashed in our country. We need more immigrants like him who are happy to bring their families here, and maybe in time he can make a heartfelt change from within his own party. Like Van Jones says and Nelson Mandela preached, we have to stop giving them proof that we are as strident and spiteful as their leaders. May you and your neighbor find friendship in communication.
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Cheryl, thanks for your thoughts here. My neighbor is not an immigrant, was born in New Mexico and more than likely, he may be first generation as I am. For the sake of clarity because I do feel a little singled out here, at no time in my conversations with Alan was I strident or spiteful. Still there is no denying that the look on my face, when he informed me that he is a Trump supporter, spoke volumes. As I mentioned, we haven’t had a conversation since I returned from California but he does smile and we do wave to each other as he drives off to work…for now, it is enough. With time, it may become more.
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Well I’ve come back to say that I put myself out here, so I singled myself here with my sharing of how it is with my new neighbor because here has always been a good place to speak of how it is, how it goes, the reality of it and with feedback, how it can be. So again, many thanks to all who have commented.
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My apologies if I seemed to single you out. I certainly did not intend that! My friends and I have been struggling with the idea of being compassionate (and even civil, if truth be told) to those in our area of rural Missouri who not only support the current administration and its leader, but who are very much “in your face” righteous about their version of issues like immigration, LGBTQ rights, race, religion, and even health care. I know individuals here who would have no health care without “Obamacare” even though they don’t hesitate to spew absolute hatred of the program (and the man) publicly. The same with free or reduced-price lunches at school. I don’t get it. I’d like to get it – or at least feel a little more loving and not just tolerant of some of my own neighbors. Thanks for the dialogue. No judgment from here ever intended.
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Not sure what happened here – I posted a reply to Marti, and it disappeared. Once again, I apologize if I seemed to single you out or imply that you were strident or spiteful. I did not intend that in any way and never would.
My friends and I are struggling with our own lack of understanding and compassion toward our neighbors here in rural Missouri who are avid Trump supporters and vocal haters of Obama, immigrants, welfare recipients, people of color, etc. We’re wondering how to sincerely engage them in communication, how to listen with different ears that are not so biased against them. It’s hard. Which is why I’ve listened to the Van Jones interview multiple times, hoping to find my own way out of the stalemate. Thanks for the dialog – no judgment intended.LikeLike
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I feel the love and connected-ness and intelligence and caring of all who comment within this community. I feel especially grateful to have found a place where I can absorb more about my inner self and this vast world in which we all share and struggle to understand, I believe Here to be a Safe Place.
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the first words of Metta…may you be Safe.
recently, often, i “accidentaly” trip the side bar
of Sam Baker’s Mercy
and then pause the time of it, to listen, eyes closed.
just listening, because watching often is just so much to bear and i can’t
i am so grateful for US. more than i can say, without sounding uhhhh, well, more than i can say. More than i can say.
LOVE to you, Peggy, as you prepare to set out…so much.
So much love to youLikeLike
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The way I am finding to have a productive conversation with people I disagree with is to simply listen to them. Listen to understand what they feel and what they think. Not to change their minds but to truly and honestly understand and respect them. When people feel respected as human beings they are usually more able to open up and listen to what I think/feel. Then we have a conversation going.
I do not support what is going on in this country but mostly I think the damage to our souls is coming from the diciviness, the wedges between us. The us vrs. them. We need to slow down and think and feel and listen to each other. You are not here to live up to my expectations, nor am I to yours. But we can still try to work together on the things that are important.LikeLike
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This makes so much sense. More respectful listening and less of an agenda. I needed to read this today. Thank you.
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BIG HUG to all of you …. and you know why !!!!!
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windthread 
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