Dhanusha Gokulan :
My mind is in a state of constant conflict because as a journalist you’re trained to listen to both sides of the argument.
On any given day, I spend several hours reading and trying to make sense of my social media feed. Given that I’ve rewired all my social channels to give me news, local content, and the occasional memes, I’ve reached a stage where I have no idea what my friends are up to.
It looks like this these days: ‘Hate Donald Trump; Republicans are foolish; Donald Trump is not fit to be President of the Free World; gun control; Syrian civil war; Melania Trump; some friend got married; Donald Trump has tiny hands; North Korea’s little rocket man; GCC squabble….’
After reading the millionth article on the American president, it got me thinking: Is the liberal narrative being drip-fed into my social feed? Liberal media is very vociferous about Trump’s inability as president. The content makes me want to hate him, without thinking twice.
I also believe his policies are hate-worthy. And hate is a powerful word. But what gives him the right to be at the forefront of a free nation and condemn people based on their race and ethnicity? Or to not take a side in the argument about gun control?
My mind is in a state of constant conflict because as a journalist you’re trained to listen to both sides of the argument.
But it has come to a point where I cannot have a political disagreement with conservatives without being emotional about it and screaming at them about how wrong they are. In a bid to be balanced, I even tried to read arguments from the conservative perspective. My blood boiled.
The comments from a predominantly white American population in response to reports that involve racial discrimination, education, gun control, and climate change makes me not just cringe, it gives me a false sense of ideological superiority. And that got me thinking.
Some years ago, I could understand the conservative agenda without being angry. Today, I just want that thought erased. I wonder if social media has succeeded in becoming a tool for the liberal agenda, drilling it deep into my head.
Perhaps the conservatives were foolish to ardently hold on to the belief that global warming is a hoax and gun control not part of the solution? Or did conventional media get it all wrong and muddled?
It’s been a year since the US election, and this crazy liberal vs conservative race to righteousness is only getting worse. It has been nothing short of one giant headache.
And after a few days of ignoring content on mainstream media, listening to encouraging words from Fareed Zakaria, and just talking to people who are in the thick of American politics, I’ve drawn a simple conclusion. If you have an opinion, there will be opposition. And if you can respectfully listen to the views of those who share a different belief system instead of shutting them out, it may just be a soothing balm to what is going to be another three years of vicious arguments between liberals on the Left and conservatives on the Right.
Courtesy: Khaleej Times
