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I have been called a “dirty hippie” more times than I can count.
“Silly liberal,” “peace-loving gypsy” and “ignorant communist” all have high rankings on the list of insults that get thrown at me. The affronts are normally lacking in an intelligent thought process and, sometimes, they are just playful. But, no matter how severe the emotion is behind them, I give the verbal abusers the same reactions each time. I laugh.
Now, this is not a laugh out of pity or sarcasm, but a laugh that halts any further conversation. It’s a simple, “Sure, you can say that. But this is the end of the discussion,” kind of laugh.
I even let my very Republican friend pace around the room and rattle off every opinion he has about President Barack Obama, the failing economy and Democrats in general. I sit and listen as he undermines every viewpoint I have, but even his persistent negative attitude toward “my kind” couldn’t get me to speak up.
Most people mistake it for a lack of a backlashing or argumentative statement to respond with. Some people think my decision not to “fight back” means I have no opinion in politics and just love wearing a peace symbol around my neck merely for fashion.
But it’s just the opposite. I actually have very strong opinions about politics and controversial topics. But it’s the fact that I have those opinions that keeps my mouth shut.
By the time we reach college, we all have morals, values and viewpoints about social and economic matters. We know whether we’re for or against abortion. We already know if we think the death penalty is inhumane or fair. We know if we want the troops in the Middle East to come home now or wait until we have “won.”
A quick, verbal argument with a person who has the opposite view as us is not going to change our mind. In fact, if the arguments endure, we may get more annoyed over time that people are constantly attacking our beliefs.
While debates are a good way to use mind power, they should be saved for situations where opinions can actually be swayed.
For example, even if a person was able to do the impossible by giving me a 100 percent, no doubt about it, perfectly logical reason why gay marriage should be banned, I still would be in support of it. My opinion is not going to be changed.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but certain issues are controversial for a reason. No matter how loudly you hoot and holler with those on the opposite side of the political spectrum, others’ views are permanent. You’re not going to change someone’s opinion by yelling.
Therese can be reached at
featureseditor@theorion.com
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