True confession - I’ve been guilty of all these at some point - some more than others. You?
When I think that the "rightness" of my cause exempts me from my obligation to treat everyone with respect
I've become part of the problem
When I forget that I always carry a bias
I’ve become part of the problem
When I can't acknowledge that an opposing worldview has any good points to consider
I've become part of the problem
When I assume that I know all of someone’s beliefs
I’ve become part of the problem
When I dismiss violence toward any person or group as justified “payback”
I’ve become part of the problem
When I enjoy seeing my enemies humiliated
I’ve become part of the problem
When I resort to vulgar language
I’ve become part of the problem
When I clean up my language to appear civil, but am no less insulting
I've become part of the problem
When I support censorship (of any kind) to silence the opposition
I’ve become part of the problem
When I mock the leaders of an opposing viewpoint…
When I mock everyday people who support that leader…
Heck, when I mock anyone
I’ve become part of the problem
When I dismiss evidence simply because it came from an opposition source
I’ve become part of the problem
When I resort to using red herrings, hypotheticals, and confuse the issue instead of engaging in logical debate
I’ve become part of the problem
When I’m easily offended
I’ve become part of the problem
When I become an offense broker for other people
I’ve become part of the problem
When I’m intellectually arrogant
I’ve become part of the problem
When I discount the life experiences that other people have been through
I’ve become part of the problem
When I think that posting on social media fulfills my obligation to alleviate human suffering
I’ve become part of the problem
When I de-friend someone simply because they hold a different viewpoint
I’ve become part of the problem
When I think “fake news” only originates in the other camp
I’ve become part of the problem
When I only surround myself with people who agree with me
I’ve become part of the problem
When I think that there are only two sides to any issue
I’ve become part of the problem
When I think that I as a person am morally superior because my position is morally superior
I’ve become part of the problem
When people close to me tell me to tone it down a bit
I’ve become part of the problem.
When I never apologize or admit that I was wrong
I’ve become part of the problem.
When my need to be right takes precedence over preserving a relationship
I’ve become part of the problem
When I read this list and immediately think of other people who are guilty instead of looking at myself
I've become part of the problem
Good news - it's never too late for an attitude adjustment. If needed, now would be a good time to start.