The Most Effective Question to Ask Yourself in Times of Political Upheaval
“What if I’m wrong?”
I’m finding that, in addition to the caveat in conversations with those whom I disagree (“I could be wrong, but...”) an additional new trick for the old dog is when I have an entrenched opinion about something important, I ask myself “What if I’m wrong?” If the answer is that my opinion unchecked causes some sort of deleterious effect to other people, perhaps a full re-evaluation is in order.
Since our governor declared all citizens entering into public places are required to wear a mask, I’m encountering a fair share of disbelievers. They are undeterred in their steadfast denial of the pandemic being real. And they bitch about it.
“Hmmm. I could be wrong but I think the numbers bear it out. But what if I’m wrong? What if the whole pandemic is a hoax designed to destroy the economy so that Trump loses in November? Who is harmed if I’m wrong? Only me. Maybe I feel a little gullible, inconvenienced, and out of pocket for buying a cool mask, but that’s about it.
What if, on the other hand, you’re wrong? What if this is the real deal and hundreds of thousands more will die from it? Who is harmed if you’re wrong? You, your family, your friends, and potentially everyone you come into contact with. Do what you feel is right but at least ask yourself the question.”
I’ve written extensively about my reticence to embrace public protest as a means to substantive change in American politics. Certainly a means to raise awareness of issues but rarely if ever a true path to progress.
What if I’m wrong? If I am wrong, who is harmed by my opinion regarding protest as a means to change?
If I’m wrong, no one is affected negatively. People will protest when the time is ripe for it, when their cause is something they believe in. Sometimes (and I believe in the case of the current protests) there are a host of reasons. Civil Rights. Economic unrest. A certain amount of virtue signaling. Pent up boredom due to businesses being shutdown for several months. A sense of fighting back against the impotence against Trump and the pandemic.
I hope I’m wrong. It seems the recent demonstrations have definitely created some cosmetic changes (Confederate symbols being eradicated, college building names being changed). I hope it has some staying power and can sustain past the often empty promises of future legislation.
It is this sort of critical re-evaluation that I believe is necessary to avoid becoming a crowd of idiot children, struggling with the straps of their safety helmets, terrified of things we’ve been told to be terrified of, and marching in lockstep with ideologies and cult think that may be harmful if we’re wrong.
What if I’m wrong?
What if you’re wrong?
What are the consequences if we are wrong?
