I Do Not Know Enough

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the MSU Exponent, its editorial staff, advisers, or Montana State University.

Political conversations can be incredibly uninviting today. Pain, anger and hate are the only emotions that seem to flourish here. It's all too easy to get frustrated and avoid these depressing conversations that tank everyone's mood. You can't be wrong if you stay quiet. 

In November 1969, Fred Hampton, a leading member of the Black Panther Party, gave a speech at Northern Illinois University. There, he famously said, “We say it's no longer a question of violence or non-violence. We say it's a question of resistance to fascism or non-existence within fascism.” Less than one month later Hampton was shot dead by the police. He was sleeping in his apartment. He was 21 years old. 

Detrimental systems have been in place for millennia. The fact that human rights crises, discrimination and economic corruption issues will not be eradicated in our short lives is infuriating. Demanding change through resistance is necessary and admirable but it must be done correctly. 

Genuine conversation is resistance. Genuine conversation questions power structures, status quo and injustices. Genuine conversation is the vulnerability with your closest friends to the same level as it is with strangers in class and at the store. Moreover, productive and meaningful dialogue isn’t solely political but it is built on inclusion, trust and empathy. 

At its best, conversation is one of the most fulfilling and unique aspects of being human. It is incredibly beautiful and healing to release your anger, your passion, your love onto someone. Talking around the campfire under the stars. Drunk conversations in the kitchen. Walking around the neighborhood with your best friend. These are joyful, rewarding, all consuming moments. Just as often, they are painfully hard, uncomfortable and easy to avoid moments. Nonetheless, they are necessary; it is our privilege and our duty.

Walter Lippmann wrote the book “Public Opinion” in 1922. 104 years ago he contested that the general public, you and I, are not smart enough to make the best decisions for ourselves. Lippmann noted that there are overwhelming complexities wrapped in political decisions that no professional can fully comprehend. Each law changed, economic decision made and foreign policy initiative has overwhelming consequences and associated effects that are impossible to fully understand. Instead, we unintentionally simplify the foreign wars, the class issues and the complex policies to our idealized agendas.  

“We are told about the world before we see it. We imagine most things before we experience them. And those preconceptions — unless education has made us acutely aware — deeply govern the whole process of perception. They mark out certain objects as familiar or strange, emphasizing the difference, so that the slightly familiar is seen as very familiar, and the somewhat strange as sharply alien,” he wrote. 

Since “Public Opinion” was published it appears issues have only gotten more complicated. It remains incredibly easy but unproductive to have a conversation about political issues if you aren't attempting to discuss it with someone who opposes your opinion. Our echo chambers become comfortable spaces where beliefs around stressful and complicated topics are only reassured. In these spaces, our fear, anger and hostility only grow. Here, dishonestly summarizing the alternative viewpoints becomes a subconscious, but harmful tendency.

Very few people are experts on an issue. Even then, they don't have perfect answers. It is not fair to fill our knowledge gaps with ignorance or a diversion to bash the opposition. Having the maturity to honestly express that you do not know enough about these issues is impactful and draws respect. Moreover, acknowledging our limited worldview and experience goes much further in changing one's mind than strong-arming tedious conversations. This mindset defuses hostility while promoting collaboration to actually fix these issues.

We are all living a unique human experience. Should one take the opportunity to view the world — appreciate the complexities, parts unknown and intricacies of being human — it would become that much more beautiful. There are many complex lives and diverse perspectives to recognize without necessarily forgiving your values and beliefs. It becomes a privilege to hear about another’s experience. It becomes a privilege to learn something new and open your mind to once incomprehensible concepts. 

Conversation out of a vulnerable space illuminates mutual beliefs. Talk to the guy who drives the obnoxiously loud truck. Talk to the pretentious kid who owns five pairs of skis and only drinks iced lattes. 

It is your responsibility to engage in issues that affect you. Furthermore, it is your responsibility to engage in issues that don't affect you. Over time, your inaction and silence can become your own enemy.