In the aftermath of the bitterly contested presidential election, there's been a lot of talk (mostly by Democrats) about how we need to come together as one nation, how liberals need to stop condescending to Middle America, the religious and "red staters" in general. I think there's plenty of merit in some of these arguments, some of which I try to address later this week. But there are complications too.
For example, how are progressives supposed to come together with, say, Alabamans? Residents there voted last week on an amendment that would remove segregationist clauses from the state's constitution.
The vote is too close to call and a recount is going to happen. The removal of segregationist clauses is presently trailing by 2500 votes (0.17%).
That around half of all Alabamans who objected.
The measure was opposed by the state's former chief justice Roy Moore, who gained notoriety among conservative religious folks for opposing the removal of the Ten Commandments from the state's judicial building.
The amendment's opponents say it's really about taxes.
Abiola over at Foreign Dispatches is skeptical. He notes that only four years ago, some 40% of Alabamans voted in favor of banning interracial marriage. A sentiment he notes is not unique to the home of Lynrd Skynrd and "Segreation Forever."
How exactly should I compromise with that? What common ground is there between my beliefs and the prevailing norms of Alabaman society?
A little guidance anyone?
2 comments:
Sorry, but this non-American cannot help that much though I'd like to chip these in: I tend to think that people shouldn't be forced to conform. If the folks in Alabama don't want interracial marriage, good and fine. I'd simply not live there. If most folks in New York want gay marriage legalized and I happen to be a New Yorker who can't stand it, I'd move down south or somewhere else. Debates are good because they help us exchange ideas and get to understand the other side. Sometimes it can be incredibly difficult to reason with someone who takes a point of view that is 'totally contradictory' to yours. But, I've come to the conclusion that we've all got to live together with our different views. So, I tend to look for things that bind me to people who hold different views from me rather than those that separate us. We still disagree, we still debate but we live together. Strange philosophy! But, it works for me. The only sad thing is that in a democracy the dominant view wins, which in a number of cases might not be mine.
And a penny for a thought of mine;
Obviously if u are trying to find common ground at the extremities of opinion u will end up very depressed. Concentrate on the majority that straddle the middle areas of the political spectrum. You will find joy there.
Rgds
Me
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