Saturday, June 13, 2020

Letter to a Young Friend


Xxxxxx,

Last week we all had a “conversation” about racism and white privilege. You just experienced what growing up is all about ... the give and take about ideas and opinions. You will have many of these conversations ... even arguments in your lifetime (not many more with us, however) and, both Jeanette and I were impressed with your passion and your grasp of the salient points. Are we right ... or are you right? The answer to this question is not as important as your (and our) allowing for the free exchange of ideas. It is only when the opposites in such dialectics (the Socratic Method) refuse to listen to each other’s point of view, that things go down hill.

We think that you made your points with force and, you may not realize it now, but the two of us agreed with about 90% of what you said. Take the time to try to absorb what we were saying ... and once you do ... and then still reject it ... we will understand and admire you even more.

(A good test of whether you understand our position is, if you can, without agreeing with it, restate it effectively in your own words ... again that Socratic thing.)

All our best,
George and Jeanette

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