When we disagree on an issue and want to make our opinion count, we need to join forces and form some kind of anti-group, right? After all, we need to make a stand and make ourselves heard. Whilst the ”angry-mob” approach has proven to be extremely powerful in the past when we want to change things, can there also be alternative approaches?
Image courtesy of Pexels, Juan Cordero
When it comes to making our opinion count on a local or bigger issue, our instant reaction tends to be that we need to form some kind of anti-group. That we need to spend many nights together to create ideas how to make our voices heard. We need to let ‘them’ know how angry we are. We need to let them know they are wrong. Be that as it may, are there other approaches that can be just as effective, but, say, less time consuming and that use less of our energy?
For example, could there be a line of action that makes less use of the them and us point of view? One that makes us feel less angry with each other, and that helps keep our communication clean? Or, maybe we can find a way that is less time-consuming. So we don’t all have to spend long long evenings organising our plan. We’re all very busy, after all.
“Maybe we can find a way that is less time-consuming. So we don’t all have to spend long long evenings organising our plan. We’re all very busy, after all.”
Opinions and lots of them
Take the power of writing. Perhaps we can build a good argument and then send it in a letter to ‘them’ to explain our position. That way we can explore all details and angles of the issue, maybe the legal aspects as well, and explain our position calmly? So that we can use a neutral voice, without too much emotion. And without everyone being too busy to think about sharing their point of view in a heated discussion, while at the same time confirming their own beliefs and opinions?
Away from the noise
In this way, when these words reach the receiver, they can be away from the noise, the anger, all the opinions, and they can actually be registered by them? In this way, the receiver has the opportunity to read and absorb all the information in their own time. And share it with others on ‘team them.’
“Can our words reach the receiver away from the noise, the anger, all the opinions, and actually be registered by them?”
Planting a seed
Perhaps if we did it that way, we can take our sweet time to write in a respectful, friendly yet affirming tone? Even when ‘they’ appear mean and selfish to us. Taking our time, could also help us realise that everyone has their own path to walk on, their own battles to fight? That everyone involved has their own best interest. Who knows, maybe we’ll even discover some negative aspects to the opposite argument, a type of perspective that ‘they’ hadn’t even thought about. Or better still, maybe our words could plant a seed with the recipient for a different outcome or opinion in the future: for a win-win for everone involved?
“When we disagree on a local or international issue, our first reaction is usually: We must get together and create some kind of anti-group. We have to make all our voices heard!”
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