MM,
I understand your feelings completely. I have the same experience when I post at PfP, which is unapologetically Right, and I;m not even that liberal. You feel that you can't make a statement without ten people responding far more seriously and confrontationally than you ever meant to provoke. Somtimes you might even be joking about something. And where you just thought you were stating an opinion, you find yourself defending an entire worldview. It can be very, very exhausting.
But there are also times when good exchanges occur, civil ones, when I hear something that can alter MY view or at least see a different POV more clearly. These exchanges should be about gaining understanding of each other. When the tone gets condescending (last night I was told the books I read were LW revisionist history at PfP), it's best to take a break. (This morning I think that's funny; at midnight it bothered me) If you're feeling overwhelmed or defensive, go do something else. And remember that although you feel in the minority here, which makes it very hard to stay open, you don't always have to be planning a defense, but also listening to the points presented. Sometimes you can see through the mirror into the world beyond more clearly, even if you don't want to live there. |
