This last week, The student government held a protest at my school. The board was voting on a 6% tuition raise. It was a huge deal; signs, shirts, speakers. I was proud of my classmates, because it was well organized, effective, peaceful, and an important issue. While we didn't win, they did decide to lower the increase from 6 to 3.7%, which made a good bit of difference. However, even though I agreed with the issue and was glad that the school took action, I found it difficult to get involved with the protest. I stood out there for awhile, amidst the cries of "not a penny more!" thinking, "If the board raises tuition, of course we'll pay the extra."
I stood inside, looking out at the protest and I found myself standing next to a man I assume was on the board, when I had an epiphany. I am a business major, and I plan to work in human resources or arts administrator at a museum, and eventually work my way up to currator of a museum. One day, I might be on the other side of a protest. I may have to face a group of angry employees who went on strike because of the change in benefits. Or maybe a cultural group will disagree with one of the exhibits or the way that we got the artifacts.
Eventually, we will all be on the other side of a situation, where you never thought you would be. for example, teens always disagree about curfews. We don't see the big deal coming home a little later than expected. But one day, your kids will be late, and you will start worrying that they got into a car accident, and all of the sudden, it will be clear why your parents were so worried. So I suppose the point of the blog, is to see something from another's point of view, because one day you will be in their situation.
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I like this different perspective - really grounding. We certainly do have to remember that there are two sides (if not more) to every story!
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"In and of itself, nothing really matters. What matters is that nothing is ever 'in and of itself.'" - Chuck Klosterman, "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs"
http://progressiveu.org/blog/k-moore
the trick is not to forget.
If you want to seem "fair" later in life, you must maintain the empathy of knowing what it's like to be on both sides of the situation. That way, you can present the side you will be on to the person, perhaps your child, who doesn't understand the other viewpoint.
"You'll understand when you're older."
However, realizing that you will be on the other side of the protest someday shouldn't drive you to quit protesting. If there were no protests, you know from your own example, there would be no fair bargains; corruption would most likely result.
the trick is not to forget.
If you want to seem "fair" later in life, you must maintain the empathy of knowing what it's like to be on both sides of the situation. That way, you can present the side you will be on to the person, perhaps your child, who doesn't understand the other viewpoint.
"You'll understand when you're older." isn't good
However, realizing that you will be on the other side of the protest someday shouldn't drive you to quit protesting. If there were no protests, you know from your own example, there would be no fair bargains; corruption would most likely result.
My realization didn't have anything to do with unwillingness to protest. Even though I fully supported the cause and am glad it took place, I felt akward shouting and holding signs and such. Instead I watched, supported those who did choose to protest, and talked to many people on the campus. I've always been an outwardly passive person, and just felt out of place in the situation. When I protest, I choose to use face to face confrontations or writing letters expressing my opinions or signing a petition.
I agree that one of the problems we have empathizing is that we forget how we felt when we were in the other position. Using my ezample, parents forget being younger, having a good time, and just forgetting to call. They don't remember that mistakes do happen. and of course it's always hard to make the other person understand when they aren't willing to try.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711