“See, I Told You So...”

People believe what they want to believe.

The post election fallout is not surprising. People believe what they want to believe, and hear what they want to hear. It’s the same type of thinking that brought Hitler to power. It’s what causes mass hysteria and radical opinions. It’s not constructive.

Generally speaking, people are myopic and skeptical. Those who claim to be open-minded are often closed-minded, strong-willed and intolerant. People like this can’t tolerate opinions and perspectives that differ from their own.

“What’s the matter with you? You’re so ignorant (because you don’t think like me). ”

They’re the first to say, “See, I told you so…” when there is any hearsay that re-enforces their opinions. They’re the first to call people with differing opinions wrong and foolish. They don’t attempt to understand why someone has formed a different opinion. They dismiss it as stupidity or bigotry.

Ironic that the very defintion of bigotry is “intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself”.

Agree to disagree.

When anything is presented that loosely reinforces their opinion they pounce on it, take it as fact, and shout it from the roof tops. They don’t bother to examine the facts or seek the truth. These people are the first to succomb to propaganda.

Take a moment to be introspective. Consider and question your politcal perspective. Where did your political opinions come from, and when were they formed? Were they influenced more by environment (parents, peers, etc..) or personal experience? Is what you believe about others (positive or negative) based on known facts, actions and truths? Is what you believe based on something you read or heard? Be honest with yourself.

Remember, most of us will never really know the candidates we vote for. Study the facts, seek the truth and question what you believe. Diversity and tolerance is about more than race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. Don’t judge, and jump to conclusions. Let actions speak louder than heresay.

Diversity is about respecting another’s experience, perspective, and point-of-view. Keep an open mind.