Welcome to my TED Talk

I just had ANOTHER on-line interaction which reminded me that tribalism and silos are real.

People are entrenched into their beliefs and continue to spout off trying to get people to react. Rather than actually look at facts, or present coherent arguments and cite sources, people often just spout off with wild sexist, able-ist, homophobic, and racist garbage.

Now, does it matter what or who I am? No, but for sake of argument, I am a straight white male (he/him). I have voted in every election since I was 18 and I’m an independent. And I recognize that my opinions and rhetoric are going to be a reflection of that background.

That background has given me the privilege to see that I have often been wrong without having to feel the consequences of it. It’s given me a “get out of jail free” card, if you will, for having said things or done things that really were not appropriate or were downright wrong and/or rude.

I like to think that at this point in my life I am able to listen and grow and change and learn. But I know, deep down inside, it’s a slow process. And it’s very hard to be patient with others when I can’t be patient with myself.

My advice to you is this: Love one another, and try to be a little better every day.

(and maybe eat a salad once in a while)

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.