When was the last time you opened yourself up to an opinion that differed from your own? It seems to be that the United States is becoming more and more polarized on every issue presented to it. Although some level of polarization is natural in a multi-party nation, the number of differences in opinions that are met with downright intolerance for the opposition’s point of view appears to be growing. While it is important to have one’s own opinion and be unwavering, it is also important to see all points of view on all issues. From firsthand experience, I can say this is easier said than done.
Earlier this week, while deep diving into on the web I somehow came across the official website for American Family Association. The AFA is an unashamedly right-wing organization which purposes itself on applying Christian ideologies with current events surrounding patriotism and the family. Their organization’s philosophical statement declares that, “[The]AFA believes that a culture based on biblical truth best serves the well-being of our nation and families.” On the AFA website there were several articles expressing opinions that I not only disagree with but others that I found exasperatingly offensive. One work was written by a father hoping his daughter never grew up to be a feminist and another was by a man arguing that Christopher Columbus Day should be celebrated every day and deems the Europeans’ transgressions against Native Americans as myths. As baffling as these opinions may be, there was one article that I found contradictory my personal worldview.
An article written by a conservative Christian Black American woman outlining her opinion on Black American culture succeeded in encouraging me to take a closer look at differing opinions and intolerance in general. As a liberal Black American woman, obviously I have my own view of Black American culture but it was eye-opening to examine the contrary viewpoint of a person who lives in the same experience as I do but holds a different judgement. To summarize her opinion, the author claimed that Black American culture is inherently American culture noting the merging of one nation’s culture with another. The author and I agreed that Black American culture is integrally different from African American culture seeing that it is not entirely descended from the continent of Africa but is uniquely relative to the United States. It is important to note that although there were many points that I disagreed with, we do share one common thread, however minuet it is.
One thing good that can be said about tolerantly examining someone else’s viewpoint is the ability to learn something valuable about the opposing side. In the Black American culture article, the author makes the argument that Black American culture if the only American subculture that does not have roots based in another Homeland. She uses this claim as a platform to promote American patriotism in the Black Community. Although this viewpoint conflicts with my own, it exemplifies an approach that I had never considered. That does not mean that my opinion has change, but it does mean that I have an increased awareness of the multiple understandings of this topic.
All in all, although there are many views of the world and numerous opinions that oppose does not call for the intolerance of another person. It is natural to disagree and be passionate on our viewpoints but there is value in being able to tolerate the opposing opinions of others. In order to be able to grown as a nation, Americans must be able to have their own beliefs but always ready to widen their worldview and look at current issues, especially political issues, from more than one perspective. Â