I love a good discussion.
I have a diverse group of friends. Some have opinions that couldn’t be farther away than mine.
In the past couple of years I almost lost a friend because of politics. He’d start spouting off and I’d spout back. We could not hold a civil discussion.
I was at the point where I was wondering whether I should continue to have him in my life. This has been one of my best friends since the age of 22.
Then I started remembering. I thought about all the times in our lives we had supported each other and entertained each other and respected each other. There were times I had absolutely no clue where he stood politically. It didn’t matter.
I remembered the reasons I chose him as a friend and resolved to choose him again.
If our society doesn’t get back to a place where we can hold civil discussions, I shudder to think of the kind of world we will have created.
I have no illusions we will have an easy time of it, but I truly believe we can get back to a place where our friendship is more important than anything we disagree about. We may even learn something from each other because we have opposing views.
Invest in those things you love. I’m investing in discussions.
“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.” – Hubert Humphrey
In the Box, Out of the Box 