2008 Woodie Awards
Devil's Advocate decides to come clean, in the end
Sam Dunham
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Devil's Advocate
Above all, I believe in questions. Question everything: your ideas, your friend's ideas, your parent's, teacher's, government's and television's ideas. Heck, question my ideas. I could be wrong, and often am.
We have dozens of crucial issues in our culture that we never discuss for fear of pissing someone off. Topics like abortion, gay rights, evolution versus creation, capital punishment, race issues and stem cells research, just to name a few. These 'black list' topics are the biggest and most important concerns of our generation; it is imperative they are dealt with, whether or not they make you or someone else uncomfortable. This is where progress comes from.
Any and all development our society has accomplished in my lifetime has been technological. Our country may have invented some cool gadgets in that time, but as a culture we haven't done any growing up since the civil rights movement. Let us not forget that women and minorities are not guaranteed equal rights in our constitution, and the mentally disabled are executed while killers walk free because they could afford better lawyers. Meanwhile, our dinner-table conversation revolves around Wal-Mart bargains and "American Idol."
The most important events of your life are taking place around you even as you read this. Don't let them pass by because you didn't want to challenge convention. It's not as hard as you think.
My best friend and I sit on opposite ends of the abortion-rights debate, yet we talk about it often. We've gained unique insight into each other and the issue itself because when we discuss it, we don't yell and spout slogans, we listen and consider, discovering that there are very good reasons for believing both sides.
Try this: pick a hot-button issue that's considered 'off-limits' in polite conversation, then pick a friend that you know believes differently than you and engage them in conversation. Don't try to convince them of your side, just try to understand why they think the way they do. Don't be so arrogant to assume you're definitely right, but try to make sure your friend extends you the same courtesy. If you're right, maybe they'll change their mind. If they're right, then you have nothing to lose but a misconception. Even if you don't reach a resolution, which you probably won't, you've instantly helped spur America's social progress. Good for you.
It has been my privilege to write this column this semester. I thank my readers for their attention, support, and lessons learned. To my detractors, I hope that I at least got you thinking about important issues that are too often ignored.
We have dozens of crucial issues in our culture that we never discuss for fear of pissing someone off. Topics like abortion, gay rights, evolution versus creation, capital punishment, race issues and stem cells research, just to name a few. These 'black list' topics are the biggest and most important concerns of our generation; it is imperative they are dealt with, whether or not they make you or someone else uncomfortable. This is where progress comes from.
Any and all development our society has accomplished in my lifetime has been technological. Our country may have invented some cool gadgets in that time, but as a culture we haven't done any growing up since the civil rights movement. Let us not forget that women and minorities are not guaranteed equal rights in our constitution, and the mentally disabled are executed while killers walk free because they could afford better lawyers. Meanwhile, our dinner-table conversation revolves around Wal-Mart bargains and "American Idol."
The most important events of your life are taking place around you even as you read this. Don't let them pass by because you didn't want to challenge convention. It's not as hard as you think.
My best friend and I sit on opposite ends of the abortion-rights debate, yet we talk about it often. We've gained unique insight into each other and the issue itself because when we discuss it, we don't yell and spout slogans, we listen and consider, discovering that there are very good reasons for believing both sides.
Try this: pick a hot-button issue that's considered 'off-limits' in polite conversation, then pick a friend that you know believes differently than you and engage them in conversation. Don't try to convince them of your side, just try to understand why they think the way they do. Don't be so arrogant to assume you're definitely right, but try to make sure your friend extends you the same courtesy. If you're right, maybe they'll change their mind. If they're right, then you have nothing to lose but a misconception. Even if you don't reach a resolution, which you probably won't, you've instantly helped spur America's social progress. Good for you.
It has been my privilege to write this column this semester. I thank my readers for their attention, support, and lessons learned. To my detractors, I hope that I at least got you thinking about important issues that are too often ignored.
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