A great line from the progressive rock band Yes, and something that I like to do. I was amazed how people only wanted people who were “like them” around them. This past week I saw an example and I thought great. But the internet went into a furry.
From what I saw Ellen’s fans where upset she was hanging with George Bush. Now, I didn’t see any Bush fans upset, but then again he is not a social media influencer, so i would expect that. This is where people on social media who could have used it as a lesson in how to be better, instead used it to be a negative. Props to Ellen who responded “Just because I don’t agree with someone on everything does not mean I’m not going to be friends with them. When I say be kind to one another, I don’t mean only the people that think the same as you do, I mean be kind to everyone.”
Why is it that people have to surround themselves by only people who are like themselves, who only share the same beliefs as themselves. Lets take a real out of this world example. Who still believes in Santa Claus? And if you don’t do you ever spend time with kids who still do, or did? You didn’t start a fight because they believed and you did not? Now you say but that isn’t important, well guess what it is a belief. One thing I have learned, it is almost impossible to change someones beliefs. But the other thing I learned, if someone treats you well, shows you respect, and personality wise you get along what does one belief difference mean?
I guess I should expect people to overreact, because well that is the internet and social media. To me this should be a lesson, not a game of shaming. One that we can be civil to each other and start to solve the tough problems together. Instead it because another online mess. I will use it as confirmation that I should continue to spend them with people who are different than me.
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