I WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT IF IT HADN'T HAPPENED TO ME. Today I was snubbed by a "friend" who isn't in favor of the health care bill! I guess he doesn't like my politics--and you know--I don't like his either, but I treated him as I always do, with a hug and a smile. But I could tell he was holding my viewpoint against me.
Gone are the days when I hold in my thoughts, beliefs, values, ideas to make someone like me. Getting this Master's degree has changed me. Hallelujah!
~Ms. T. J.
Oh, I have had MANY people treat me harshly because of my politics - especially in the social work field because I don't hold the "popular" viewpoint. In fact, I have had a number of people be hurtful without even meaning to - they didn't know what my view was but assumed they did because of my profession. I used to be very open, then went through a period of not saying anything because I actually feared for my job. Now, I won't let anyone put me down - but I try to be extra careful about not making assumptions or being offensive. It hurts!
ReplyDelete(PS - You and I don't share the same view on healthcare - but I can appreciate that it hurts!)
SW 24/7-
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comment. I know in class sometimes it is assumed that everyone feels the same way--like you said--because of the profession, but it is simply NOT true. We have to know who we are before we head out there so we can be prepared for the days when our values fly in the face of another's and vice versa. To thine own self be true, right?
~Ms. T. J.
I've found that some of my classmates felt they couldn't express their views because they felt like they were the only conservative in the room. And that isn't what our classrooms should be like. Especially social work classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI talk politics with my fellow classmates a lot because I've got family members who are extremely conservative republicans and I need an outlet to vent about how difficult that is for me. And I'm glad of their support.
I've seen quite a few people classmates, friends, colleagues taking very different sides on this issue and as a result some friendships are getting a bit bruised. But I have faith that in the long run, people will agree to disagree and will see that they can continue to be friends or at least polite acquaintences!
Amy Rose-
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right; friendship should be thicker than politics!
~Ms. T. J.