How do we talk about issues that matter?
Everyone we interact with has their own opinion on many different subjects. They can vary from does pineapple belong on pizza to political debates. Either way they are valid, individually formed opinions. When it comes time to talk about certain opinions with one another, we can have an easy going conversation with someone who agrees with us, or an intense debate with someone who has an opposite view point. Whichever way the conversation is going, it is always important to remember how you would like to be treated during this interaction. They want their opinion to be valued and respected just as much as you, and they also want to be treated with respect and know that their information is being acknowledged. Another important factor when holding a conversation about a controversial topic, is to make sure you have correct and clear facts and research to defend your side. If one side were to be arguing with false information, the value of the conversation ends up decreasing. It is key to treat the opposite or even same opinion with equal respect as your own and to fully understand both sides of the argument. Along with that, it is important to embrace your own experiences or lack of with the topic, if you have experience, express it and convey that, and even if you have not, convey that as well and that it is just an opinion on the topic. Be kind to others and their opinions because just like you, they have feelings to and everyone’s opinions are valid, even though they may differ from yours.
Hi Jacy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your thoughts and you shared some great ideas! I liked how you acknowledged the importance of valuing everyone's opinion(s), regardless of whether they align with your own. It is very true that everyone just wants their opinion to be heard and respected, and I feel people will often forget that when they are very passionate about supporting their own ideas. I also like how you mentioned the importance of maintaining factual integrity when participating in a 'controversial' conversation with another person. While everyone's experience is valid and should be acknowledged, it is also important to remember that information is constantly changing/updating, and we cannot always rely on one experience being 'fact'. This is another thing people will often forget when engaging in civil discourse and sometimes things will escalate and become emotional. Discussing opinionated topics is definitely a learned skill for many, but it is important that students are able to do so from a young age. This can prepare them for many aspects of life, including how to be well-informed, and understanding members of their community.
Hi Jacy,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog about your input on marginalized students. I agree that it's important to think about how you would like to be treated during an interaction. It is vital for you to express your opinion on a topic without an altercation. Marginalized students are caused by differences between students that makes them an outsider because their classmates are scared of getting picked on for socializing with the outsiders of school.