Cyndi's Two Cents
Communicate; don’t bully
Commentary.
I enjoy the ample feedback I receive from both my radio commentary and from these articles I write. Many of those who reach out to me agree with all or most of what I have said, while others are in disagreement with most or all of what I have said. I like to hear from all readers and listeners, whether or not we share the same views.
If you respond to what I have said, I assume that I have touched on a subject for which you have great passion. And so, I expect the feedback I receive from you to be fueled by that passion. If I am going to get up on my hind legs and tell you what I think, I must respect others who do the same. I do not, however, respect those who are incapable of communicating their differences with me without using expletives, insulting my heritage, or making threats.
I received an email a couple of weeks ago that began “I think Two Cents (my radio commentary) is a gross inflation of your worth.” That opening line not only caught my attention but made me laugh out loud. I do not take myself too seriously. I was intrigued to read this missive, which turned out to be focused on my vocal support of a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms.
The high school science teacher who sent the email berated me for failing to share his belief that gun violence in this country is escalating. The truth is gun violence in this country, according to FBI crime statistics, was much higher twenty years ago. The problem for me was not the man’s opinion on gun control or even his unfounded claims. The problem is that he is a bully. He called me names. He made disparaging remarks about me and “others like me.” He put words in my mouth, which is one of my greatest pet peeves.
He threw down the gauntlet, challenging me to sink to his level of immaturity.
I did not take the bait.
If we were all in agreement on everything, it would certainly be a boring world. I can’t think of a single person with whom I agree one hundred percent of the time, and I think that is a good thing. Like the 5-year old who said to her Sunday school teacher, “I don’t know how God does it. He loves every one of us all the time. I only have 4 people in my family and I can never do it.”
Communication with those whose views are in direct opposition to our own can be difficult or even painful at times. When you have truth on your side, it can be especially frustrating.
Be patient. Be transparent. Be clear. And, above all, although there are times when you want to throw up your hands and question their intelligence, be respectful.
When the name-calling begins, my ears quit working. Most grown-ups are the same way. Those who would resort to childish behavior to get their point across will only distance themselves from an intelligent society.
Tags: commentary
So proud of you! Keep up the awesome work!!