Political bigotry
Steph Turner
Career coaching online around the world, ‘anankelogist’ understanding your needs, author, ‘need-responder’ serving your needs where detached institutions fall short.
Intolerant of the intolerant
Bigotry is commonly defined as intolerance toward others of another opinion. The prototypical bigot champions their opinions and prejudices while denouncing the opinions of others.
Not that you would ever do that. Sounds like what makes politics such a distasteful turn-off for many.
Instead of provoking such a reaction, what if politics encouraged more listening, more relating to needs, and led to more compassion?
1. Less talking, more listening
Divisive politics assumes the politically opinionated must do most of the talking. Backwards!
Harmony Politics expects the opinionated to learn from others, to check their biases, and admit their painfully unmet needs easily blinds them to the needs of others. All by the discipline and art of listening.
2. Less debating, more about relating
Divisive politics expects you to immediately agree or disagree with a political statement. Backwards!
Harmony Politics treats political statements as a starting point to discern each other’s clashing needs. All for the sake of relating more honestly, more vulnerably, to each other’s politically affected needs.
3. Less anger, more compassion
Divisive politics tends to incite anger. Backwards! If expecting instant agreement, without the discipline of mutual understanding unspoken needs, the inevitable disappointment leads easily to anger.
Harmony Politics puts the needs of both side on an equal playing field. No one’s needs are greater than another’s, even if a need is felt to be more urgent than another. When respecting everyone as struggling with needs requiring resolution, more of our untapped compassion can flow freely.
Applying to your politicized needs
The latest fracture line in the Twittersphere is Trump’s tweet about falling into a civil war if he’s removed by impeachment. Rhetoric on both sides exaggerate differences, overlooking the discipline and art of relating honestly to each other’s needs.
Harmony Politics invites a shift in consciousness. But is it a small, small voice lost in this “entertaining” shouting match?
1. Donald Trump
"There's no such thing as a Civil War, they're all tragically uncivil." Spurred by #DivisivePolitics like we see today, with both sides stomping over the needs of the others. We don't need more war, we need more love! #HarmonyPolitics
Great to welcome free trade with our neighbors to the north & south. "House Dems must" do their job, and if stalling a politically biased deal for thorough critique, then they're doing their job. #HarmonyPolitics
3. Joe Biden
Yes, as a trans I'd love to live openly without fear. But am under constant dread from past tough-on-crime criminalization for being trans, suffering a wrongful conviction in the 90s back when no evidence was necessary for a conviction. #HarmonyPolitics
Thanks, @marwilliamson, for keeping this light shining on dysfunctional politics. War is the indulgence of mass anger, intoxicating to those lacking in the discipline and art of love. #HarmonyPolitics
Reviewing hot button issues
How is politics affecting the pain in your life today?
1. Immigration: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
2. Climate change: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
3. Gun safety: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
4. Abortion: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
5. Healthcare: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
6. Criminal justice: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
7. Economy: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
8. Racism: harmonized to need; diversity of positions; unpacking both sides.
HARMONY POLITICS AND YOU
Consider how Harmony Politics could serve your needs. I offer to consult political leaders and influencers to better connect with their constituent’s diverse needs.
Can HP improve voter turnout? Improve messaging? Attract donors? Sway uncommitted independent voters? Help with GOTV efforts? Fit into media strategies? Support oppo research? Polling efforts?
Contact me to explore how I can fit this pioneering approach to your particular need to politically stand out more.
I am strictly nonpartisan, and offer my services to candidates of any party. Once I contract with you, I cease making myself available to other candidates in that same race.
I cover much of this material in more detail in my eCourse Defusing Polarization: Understanding Divisive Politics. Check out the free units to see if it serves your needs. Share this link with others you know in need of this fresh understanding of politics.
If you find this article valuable, click “like” and share freely. Add your comments below. Follow here on LinkedIn to keep up with these daily messages for transcending political polarization. Spread the love of affirming each other’s politicized needs.
Together, let’s revolutionize politics with such love. If we don’t, who will?