Appreciating the great Chicago blues artist.
Jimmy Reed and Sarah: Empathy Before Politics III
Sarah: Hey, Dad, I was thinking about the article that you proposed writing - and I just realized something that would be ironic.
Jimmy: What would that be, dear?
Sarah: If you had naysayers of that article accusing you both of being a "Republican wingnut" and of being a "liberal moonbat".
Jimmy: quietly It both cases, it certainly would say a lot more about them than it would about me... or their political opponents, for that matter.
Sarah: Indeed, it would.
Jimmy: What would also be ironic would be how, in both cases, they're effectively saying... "I disagree with your calls for civility in politics - so, quite naturally, you must be one of my political opponents."
Sarah: That's a very good point, Dad.
Jimmy: Also ironic would be them suggesting that their political opponents are the ones more likely to call for civility - and, thus, they are effectively making their opponents look better than them... even if they might not see it that way.
Sarah: That's a good way of looking at it, Dad.
Jimmy: Well, imagine that you're sitting on the sidelines... metaphorically speaking. Imagine that you're uncertain of which political side you support. If all you saw was belittling and name-calling coming from certain sides, you would... be less likely to support those sides, right?
Sarah: Exactly, Dad! That's exactly how I feel!
Jimmy: I think the problem is, too many people... get caught up in an ego trip. They're so convinced that they're right and that everyone else is wrong, they... start to adopt an "us against them" mentality. That is a very ineffective way to win converts, indeed.
Sarah: Yeah, tell me about it!
Jimmy: It's like they start to enjoy being bullies, however much they might deny it if you were to confront them on that. They're no longer interested in trying to sway the other side. Indeed, it's like they don't even want the other side to change, because... because they enjoy having people that they can ruthlessly mock and demoralize.
Sarah: Yeah, and just what the bloody hell does that even solve?
Jimmy: Nothing, honey! Nothing! But, you see, that's just the thing. They no longer really care about resolving any issues. They just love having a... a pretext... that they can use to justify specifically seeking out people that they disagree with, just so they can... ruthlessly put those people down and... have a good laugh at their expense. Essentially, they come to enjoy being playground bullies.
Sarah: So, Dad, I guess the issue is that people don't really wanna make a difference. They just want an excuse to be a bully.
Jimmy: Right, exactly. Granted, they maybe didn't start out with the intent to be a bully - but, at some point, they fall into the ego trap... and then they start to lose focus of what... they initially set out to do.
Sarah: So, in other words, it's complex psychology.
Jimmy: Yeah, pretty much so. Certainly, I'm not a psychologist, so there might be a few things that I still don't quite grasp - but I'm making deductions based on... various patterns that I've witnessed.
Sarah: Everything you've mentioned, though, seems to make sense. I guess these overly opinionated people don't quite think like... like you and me.
Jimmy: Right, exactly. Also, I firmly believe that it's not so much our political opponents that we should try to sway - but, rather, those who are uncertain. They're the ones who are most likely to be swayed, and the best way to win converts is to do so with love and empathy. Empathy before politics.
Sarah: Good point, Dad! Good point!
Jimmy: Well, my dear, how about some ice cream?
Sarah: smiling Sounds good, Dad.



