From time to time (daily) my partner’s grandmother sends out emails of a political nature. Grammy is a lovely woman and I adore her. She’s fiercely loyal to her family, intelligent, responsible and funny. She has an amazing strength of character and I’d be honored to be as awesome as she when I’m her age.
However, she and I are not remotely politically aligned. She’s Republican, Christian, and socially conservative, and her emails reflect that. Most of the time I glance at them, roll my eyes and try to forget about it. Every once in a while one comes along that I simply can’t ignore. i have to say something.
I love to argue a point, and when I get into a discussion about something I often forget that many people see dissent as personal attack. Even when I’m ferociously defending a position I almost never lose sight of the fact that I’m arguing the validity of an idea, not defending myself or my own integrity. In this first exchange, I allow myself to get a little heated, and found myself making a few personal digs at my antagonist. In subsequent incidents I make a point to be less confrontational and more genial. I want to be a Friendly Contrarian after all.
I’m going to do this in pieces so it’s not overwhelming.
First, the email that started it all:
THE OBAMA FAMILY.
And how many more relatives will be coming from Africa ??
So that happened. Next we shall see the shitstorm that ensued…
