Sometimes we need a reminder

The life lessons learned growing up in a family living in countries not my own could fill a book.

Seeing “Yankee go home” painted on walls, living in a city divided by a concrete and barbed wire wall or carrying both an American and international ID cards at all times—mandated under threat of deportation—cause one to know early that opinions do differ.

The thing about opinions is that they clearly do not have to be based on logic or facts.

Opinions can be based on emotions, personal preference or personal experiences—and disagreeing about an issue does not make one person right and the other person wrong.

In fact, as the eldest of six children, I learned at an early age that disagreements happen but that agreeing to disagree is an “okay” solution.

Disagreeing with respect is the key. Treating others how we want to be treated is the key.

As journalists we are observers. It is our job to watch and report. Someone said once that news reporting is the first draft of history. We take that responsibility seriously.

As observers, we attend meetings where participants have differing opinions. That is mostly a good thing. Agreeing to disagree doesn’t mean you relinquish your opinion. It simply means you keep your opinion, recognize others’ right to have a different opinion—and agree not to agree about it.

Disagreements will happen but we don’t have to let them become a divisive problem—and that is the real possibility when disrespect enters the dialogue.

Sometimes we need a reminder of what we were taught years ago. Mind your manners. Say please and thank you. A little appreciation goes a long way. Be kind. Appreciate the hard work of others. Offer assistance.

When you don’t listen, you don’t learn is a life lesson taught in preschool. Here are a few others:

People might not change your opinion but you should still listen to what they have to say;

Listening shows respect for others’ views and lets them know you care about them enough to listen, even if you don’t agree with them;

Don’t put down others’ ideas; and,

Disagree with respect.

These rules are the most basic and sometimes we need a reminder of that.

There is an editorial cartoon I saw several years ago that I think should be required reading.

In the center of the one frame of the cartoon is the number six drawn horizontally on the ground. There are two stick figures in the drawing, one on each end of the horizontal numeral, both staring at their end of the numeral intently.

One stick figure is standing at the rounded bottom part of the numeral and says that he definitely he sees a number six drawn on the ground. The second stick figure is standing at the long straight part of the numeral and says he definitely sees a number nine lying on the group.

The caption below it reads: “Just because you are right does not mean that I am wrong. You just haven’t seen life from my side.”

Disagreeing is not a bad thing. Most progress comes from differing opinions. But we can show others respect by allowing them to hold a different opinion than our own.

“Just because you are right does not mean that I am wrong.” Just a reminder.

Michelle Mann is a staff writer for The Southeast Sun and Daleville Sun-Courier. The opinions of this writer are her own and not the opinion of the paper. She can be reached at (334) 393-2969 or by email at [email protected].