I watched a documentary the other night on a polarizing social issue in our country. There was a video segment of one group that was in favor of the issue meeting the opposing group in front of the city's capital. "Okay." I think. "This is good. They are coming together to try to come to an understanding, to coexist." Seconds later, the opposing side starts shouting, mostly through bullhorns at the other side. In response the other crowd shouts back. Everyone is extremely emotional and crying, and obscenities follow. No one can hear the other side, nor do they want to. They just want to be heard themselves.
And, that is human nature...when it comes down to it, we all just want to be heard. Not just the crowds on the street, but anyone whom suddenly finds themself on the opposing side, shouting, trying to be heard above the other's voices.....My guess is that no one came away from this meeting with any sort of enlightenment. In fact, it probably just produced more contempt.
I don't know what the answer is when we find ourselves on opposite sides of an impasse....Perhaps we could just put down our bullhorns and listen.
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