One of the greatest illusions that everyone buys into is that because we have the internet, we are more connected. But if you were to examine your life, you'd quickly realize how alone you might be or how you don't know anyone and I believe it feeds into political polarization.
I grew up on my tribe's reservation with a politically diverse population (the largest percentage being non-participants in any politics) and went to high school in a very Christian, very conservative, and very white farm town. But I, the liberal Democrat Native American, ended up as captain of the basketball team, president of the Future Farmers of America, and prom royalty. I was a leftish progressive liberal diplomat. But, over the last few decades, I became increasingly of the fundamentalist left. It's only in the last five years or so that I've re-embraced my sense of personal and professional diplomacy. I'm still very much of the left, but I'm a leftist who is family and friends to many libertarians and conservatives (but have also had to end close relationships with people who went screaming to the far left and the far right).
Referencing Colin Wright’s “my political journey” cartoon (made famous by Elon Musk tweeting it a few years ago), if all your leftist views remained absolutely unchanged from 10-15 years ago, you would now be seen as center-right, whether you like it or not! 😂
When the majority of “liberals” favor censorship over free speech, surely political categories have ceased to matter on any deep level. And, of course, the rabid left and the rabid right have much in common; an irony that I have no doubt is completely lost on them.
I’m still a dude who has only voted for one Republican in my life (but no third party of any kind). But that Wright cartoon is pretty accurate. One of my more conservative friends and I used to have very distinct differences but now we are paddling at opposite ends of the same canoe
My daughter living in New York came to visit me in southern florida. Everyone we encountered was a conversation, where we came from, how we got to florida, what we did all day. She was so annoyed after learning to not even make eye contact with people. Haha. Now we live in the Midwest and it’s a compromise
People slam the South, some reasons warranted but most not. I can say though, that by and large, we are taught to respect others, know and take care of our neighbors, and put God, country, and family first. I hope that all the people moving here can adapt to the traditional lifestyle of making eye contact, holding doors and being friendly in general. I currently have brownies in the oven for my new neighbors from Canada...This is the way.
Adam, you are rocking it today. We the people have more in common with each other than we have with the political and economic elites that try to run us and the rest of the country.
I concur with everything you wrote. Keep on writing and speaking, your voice needs to be heard far and wide. You have the perfect helper to accomplish that task , go forth and conquer !!
I lived the last six years in a small town in a very "red" neighborhood (I'm a New Deal democrat as a pragmatist and a socialist by heart).
Nobody knew each other, and I used to joke that we all communicated with each other via our yards. The guy to my right was like Hank Hill and set the standard. That meant when he mowed, I had to mow, and the message was communicated house by bouse leftward.
The most significant thing that has happened to me recently was my sister (finding this out was the most significant thing for her too!) telling me there were children PLAYING TOGETHER in our old street again!
People in small towns wave at each other with all five fingers. In big towns, they use just one.
Great column, Mr. Coleman (which I re-posted on Twitter/X). Thank you for stating so eloquently the fallout from the loss of our human connection.
Thank you for sharing and it was a pleasure to write.
yup sharing this one
Lol
I grew up on my tribe's reservation with a politically diverse population (the largest percentage being non-participants in any politics) and went to high school in a very Christian, very conservative, and very white farm town. But I, the liberal Democrat Native American, ended up as captain of the basketball team, president of the Future Farmers of America, and prom royalty. I was a leftish progressive liberal diplomat. But, over the last few decades, I became increasingly of the fundamentalist left. It's only in the last five years or so that I've re-embraced my sense of personal and professional diplomacy. I'm still very much of the left, but I'm a leftist who is family and friends to many libertarians and conservatives (but have also had to end close relationships with people who went screaming to the far left and the far right).
Referencing Colin Wright’s “my political journey” cartoon (made famous by Elon Musk tweeting it a few years ago), if all your leftist views remained absolutely unchanged from 10-15 years ago, you would now be seen as center-right, whether you like it or not! 😂
When the majority of “liberals” favor censorship over free speech, surely political categories have ceased to matter on any deep level. And, of course, the rabid left and the rabid right have much in common; an irony that I have no doubt is completely lost on them.
I’m still a dude who has only voted for one Republican in my life (but no third party of any kind). But that Wright cartoon is pretty accurate. One of my more conservative friends and I used to have very distinct differences but now we are paddling at opposite ends of the same canoe
I wish more people understood that there really is only ONE canoe...
The One Canoe Party!
Love this so much! Makes perfect sense. I live in a very rural small town and know all my neighbors. Talk to each other!!
The ports that be have to keep one group apart from another. Otherwise you an I might find we have more in common than we might think.
My daughter living in New York came to visit me in southern florida. Everyone we encountered was a conversation, where we came from, how we got to florida, what we did all day. She was so annoyed after learning to not even make eye contact with people. Haha. Now we live in the Midwest and it’s a compromise
People slam the South, some reasons warranted but most not. I can say though, that by and large, we are taught to respect others, know and take care of our neighbors, and put God, country, and family first. I hope that all the people moving here can adapt to the traditional lifestyle of making eye contact, holding doors and being friendly in general. I currently have brownies in the oven for my new neighbors from Canada...This is the way.
Adam, you are rocking it today. We the people have more in common with each other than we have with the political and economic elites that try to run us and the rest of the country.
I concur with everything you wrote. Keep on writing and speaking, your voice needs to be heard far and wide. You have the perfect helper to accomplish that task , go forth and conquer !!
I lived the last six years in a small town in a very "red" neighborhood (I'm a New Deal democrat as a pragmatist and a socialist by heart).
Nobody knew each other, and I used to joke that we all communicated with each other via our yards. The guy to my right was like Hank Hill and set the standard. That meant when he mowed, I had to mow, and the message was communicated house by bouse leftward.
The most significant thing that has happened to me recently was my sister (finding this out was the most significant thing for her too!) telling me there were children PLAYING TOGETHER in our old street again!
Powers.