When I was growing up in Saint Louis Park, Star Wars was playing at the Cooper Theater. Forever. It was the perfect place to see the film: a huge screen, state-of-the-art audio, even a smoking lounge. Retro class. Today that land is occupied by the brand-new, snazzy- if-still-largely-vacant West End development, which includes an establishment called the Cooper, and a theater by another name. I now live in Saint Paul, which in my childhood, I knew to be a mythical land across the great river.
Star Wars lives on, a media juggernaut that includes some now-old-fashioned DVDs. We’re watching them now, in order of release. My kids had not yet seen them, and we’re all enjoying them a great deal. On one level, the series stands as a history of late 20th Century special effects. At a deeper level, I am taking curious comfort in the story: good and evil are clearly delineated. In a fantasy world, long ago and far away, Evil wore predictable costumes and was audibly enrobed in recognizable musical themes.
The real world is much more complicated, of course – unless you believe the political ads that mercifully ended with yesterday’s election. These ads depicted monsters and madmen, all bent on destroying civilization as we know it. The tenor, and often the content, of our political rhetoric have transcended even Star Wars melodrama. Unlike the movies, this isn’t good, clean fun. Venom and lies obscure reality and prevent leaders from making sound policy decisions. This talk scares me.
We’ve covered this topic to death, here and elsewhere. I see no signs of change, so I’m done looking for it around us. Instead, I commit to change myself. Beginning now, I will listen to those with whom I disagree, seeking truth and wisdom in their statements. I will look to improve my perspectives and opinions by listening to theirs. Absent compelling evidence to the contrary, I will assume that those with whom I disagree still want to implement the right policies for the right reasons.
These ideas are not new, and they are not mine alone. Steven Covey’s Seven Habits include seeking to understand before we seek to be understood. Robert I. Sutton, in his book The No Asshole Rule, urges us to listen as if we are mistaken, and to speak as if we are right. We’ll see if I can practice these principles without my head exploding. If I can make habits of them, perhaps then I can credibly tell other people what to do.
Chad, this is a marvelous post. Thank you. We need to quit scaring each other, labeling each other, and find the “center” where the vast majority of us end up. My frustration comes from the shouting and fear mongering — from extremists on both sides. Let’s work to solve issues and find that middle ground. Instead of creating devils and demons where none exist.