In a democracy everybody has a right to be represented, including the jerks. — Chris Patton
I don’t always like this fact. There is a short but firm list of opinions and attitudes that I’d like to see never make it to the voting booth. I bet the owners of such feel similarly about me and mine. Alas, that’s not the way a democracy works and for good reason.
Hop out of your mental and emotional world for a moment and turn your world on its head. It’s haaaaard to do honestly and without resorting to stereotypes and simplistic tropes.
Take a modern hot button issue and hold it in your mind as you imagine a ‘breaking news’ type of day in the life of your political or religious polar opposite. Write down their thoughts and actions as they go about their day.
What is similar? What’s different? Where do the cracks in your understanding and empathy begin to show? How do you feel ending this prompt compared to how you began it?