I didn't think I was a Trump supporter, but I think I might be. From my view, I've always supported freedom and liberty. But it seems these days that makes me a Trump supporter.
I'm for judging people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. I thought this is what everyone wanted. I'm not naïve to think that historical racism and sexism hasn't had consequences to this day, but hard correcting that by going the opposite direction doesn't seem to be the solution. But we're literally in a time in history where we have people saying we need to make sure we make race a legitimate quality by which someone should be judged. An orchestra tried to fix this but making all their auditions blind. That way there was no way for there to be any bias by race. They used their ears to judge the quality of the music without seeing who was doing the playing. The problem is, the racial disparity continued. Now they want to add race back to the mix to bring 'equity.'
Not everything with racial disparity is caused by racism.
Look at the NBA. What's the percentage of different races in that sport? Would any serious person say that it needed to be fixed? No. The best players are making it to the NBA regardless of their race.
There's a double standard that's just going to get worse and worse as this administration goes on.
By me saying people should be hired based on their talent, intelligence, and ability, I've all of the sudden turned into being a Trump supporter.
Now the current White House seems to be preparing to ban certain news outlets from the press briefings and from being able to ask questions. Something they didn't support when Trump was in office. Let's see how it plays out here.
We're living in scary times right now.
Good faith isn't just an attitude; it's a series of actions. It’s the commitment to a shared process, even when the topic is difficult. Here are the core traits to look for and to cultivate in yourself.
1. Intellectual Humility
This is the foundation of all productive conversations. It’s the understanding that your own perspective is incomplete and that you might be wrong. A person with intellectual humility isn't afraid to be proven wrong; they welcome it as an opportunity to learn.
What it sounds like:
"Based on my understanding... but I could be missing something."
"That's a good point. I hadn't considered it from that angle."
"Help me understand what led you to that conclusion."
Why it matters: It turns a confrontation into a collaboration. Instead of two certainties clashing, it becomes a mutual exploration of a topic.
2. The Principle of Charity
This is the commitment to interpreting the other person's argument in its strongest, most persuasive form. Instead of looking for flaws and attacking the ...
The worn leather of the armchair creaked a familiar protest as Michael settled in. Across from him, on the edge of the old sofa, sat David, a man whose face was as familiar as his own reflection, etched with thirty years of shared laughter, quiet commiserations, and unspoken understandings. But tonight, there was a tension in the air, a subtle crack in the foundation of their long-standing ease.
"Thanks for coming over, Dave," Michael began, his voice softer than usual. "There's… something we need to talk about. It feels like there's been a growing misunderstanding, and it's been weighing on me."
David nodded slowly, his gaze steady. "I'm listening, Mike."
Michael took a breath. "I've heard things, felt a distance. And it seems like you, and maybe others, have a picture of me that isn't true. Like I'm… someone I'm not. And I need to set the record straight."
He leaned forward, choosing his words carefully. "I want trans people to have the same freedom and rights as any non-trans person. I want ...
10 rules for a productive discussion about controversial topics.
1. The Prime Directive: Argue in Good Faith This is the foundational rule. Both parties must enter the conversation with the genuine intention of exploring the truth, not simply to "win," embarrass, or provoke. Assume the other person is also operating under this principle until proven otherwise.
2. Intellectual Humility: Be Willing to Be Wrong Enter the discussion with the understanding that your current position could be flawed or incomplete. The goal is to refine your own views through challenge, not just defend them at all costs. Acknowledge valid points made by the other person.
3. The Principle of Charity: "Steel Man" Their Argument, Don't "Straw Man" It Instead of misrepresenting your opponent's position to make it easier to attack (a "straw man" ), do the opposite. Articulate the strongest, most persuasive version of their argument you can, and then respond to that. If you're unsure, ask, "So, if I understand you correctly, you're saying ...
