Do you live next door to a devil? According to many Facebook political posts, you might.
Most of my Facebook friends avoid politics, while others post their views in moderation. However, some blatantly demonize those on the other side of the political divide.
Eating infants
For example, one left-leaning Facebook friend posted that the Republican Party champions racism and rape. Similarly, one right-leaning Facebook friend posted a meme that equates the Democratic Party to Nazi Germany.
Some extremists on both sides might merit those descriptions, but most conservatives and liberals do not devour babies for breakfast.
From virtual to real life
Too often, social media’s political demonization spills over into real life.
You hear it in the partisan rhetoric of many politicians, and you can also witness it in the day-to-day lives of Americans either at home, at work, in church, or elsewhere.
Mea culpa
I confess I have been a culprit.
One day a colleague and I got into an intense political discussion, and before I knew it, I was yelling at him. He (understandably) left.
Down with demonization
What’s the antidote? Give up our opinions on social and political issues? No. But instead of demonizing someone for their politics, we can humanize them for their personhood.
After all, whether we are Right, Left, or Moderate, we share common ground.
The late science fiction writer Harlan Ellison once said we all want to love and be loved. Sounds simple, but it’s basic Humanity 101. In essence, we are all humans breathing the same air, regardless of our political leanings.
Memes intended to demonize the opposition needn’t be posted or “liked” at all. If in doubt, we can ask ourselves this question—is this meme constructive, or insulting and arrogant?
Name calling is never warranted. Further, regarding those with whom we politically disagree, we can “like” their non-political posts, especially posts concerning family, friends, pastimes, and accomplishments.
In the trenches
Will this process resolve all political conflicts with significant (and even insignificant) folks in our lives? As Star Trek’s Mr. Spock might have said, “Highly unlikely, captain.”
The flight path of life and relationships is too erratic to be course corrected with a well-meaning principle. Still, practicing civility can move us closer to humanization.
In fact, even if you’re not a Christian, the New Testament gives this sage bit of advice: “Each of you should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
When you blow it
But what if you mess up? You’ll recall that earlier I mentioned I had yelled at a colleague during a political argument. Clearly, I had been in the wrong, so later that day, I apologized.
Since then, I have endeavored to try to listen to and understand his political viewpoints without interrupting him. I don’t always succeed (hey, does the hometeam always win?), but it’s a worthwhile goal.
Also, sometimes we may simply need to agree to disagree.
Up with humanization
Demonizing leads to hostility, suspicion, and paranoia. But humanizing leads to calmness, reason, and trust. The decision is ours. If we choose the former, we may become a toxin poisoning our own wells. But if we choose the latter, we may become an elixir fortifying our communities.
Who knows—we may find out we don’t live next door to a devil after all.
