Sunday, June 5, 2016

Liberal, Conservative and Closed-Minded

I grew up 'liberal' in South Africa. When I tried to argue my case, I frequently encountered people who would not talk to me about the facts and the logic and would just shut me down with labels - I represented a threat and a danger to them and to myself.
When I came to America, with the very same views, I was thought of as 'conservative' - the other side. And when I encountered the same reaction in people I tried to talk to about disagreements here, as I had in SA, it greatly surprised me. I was used to being shut down by right-wing bigots, I did not expect it of left-wing 'liberals' who style themselves and think of themselves as inclusive and tolerant. I have gradually learnt to expect this as well.