There is an epidemic of bad logic happening in the wake of the American football kneeling controversy. Points are being made and arguments put forth that, as far as I can understand, do not have a coherent basis in logic.
- These athletes are rich so why are they talking about inequality? Huh? You can’t protest about a different socioeconomic class?
- This protest is disrespecting the flag and veterans. Huh? Service people people fought for the idea that you HAVE to stand for the National Anthem and against the ability to peacefully protest?
- They are supposed to be playing football, not protesting, they are on the clock. Huh? The Owners (Employers) are JOINING THEM in the protests.
- It’s not the right venue. Huh? (See the image above…)
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. As someone who prides himself on being tolerant, I listen to the opinions and try to be magnanimous. But after a while the tolerance wears off and anger starts to arise. The pattern I see when these discussions happen is that specifics get broadened. The lunch counter protest picture gets shown to an “its not the right venue” supporter and they argue that it’s not the same thing. THIS IS THE POINT THAT WE ALL LOSE.
In my ideal world the image would bring about in people a kind of opening of the heart. A softening of the spirit that might bring on some compassion and understanding. This reaction repeated over and over would spread love and harmony very fast.
But too often in this situation the reaction is to say “that’s different”. The “it’s not the right venue” person would rather be right than admit all the things that were true in that picture. Namely, blacks were discriminated against and treated as less than human then. The protest was justified and the angry white boys in the image were in the wrong.
The epidemic of bad logic is combining with the vestiges of deep racial problems and creating a churning of division and conflict. One of the ways we can climb out of this is to slow down, stay specific and brush up on our logic.
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—Photo Credit: Gus Chinn