Monday; October 8
When I was a youngster I was confronted with the reality that not everyone looked, acted or thought the same. This wasn’t necessarily an easy lesson for me to learn, but through the influence of my teachers, mentors and professors I was shown how to deal with differences of opinions. Honestly, I can’t tell you who taught me what and I can’t say that I have always abided by their principles, but as I look back there are some ideas that have stuck with me: 1. Learn to disagree without being disagreeable . We may not hold the same belief as others, but that doesn’t give us the right to be disrespectful. Name-calling or belittling another person’s point has never settled an argument. No, we don’t have to think the same way, but there is no excuse for being a jerk! 2. Defend another’s right to express their position . The First Amendment guarantees the legal right to express our ideas freely, but we have a deeper obligation to personally protect the right of others to express t