"When I learn that an acquaintance supports stripping my rights away, I distance myself from them. Because of this, I've received some comments like, It's such a shame that you can't even be friends with me because we disagree on politics."
"GENTLE READER: Your observation that there is no sense in offering friendship to someone who would strip you of basic rights is, of course, logical. From a manners perspective, however, it matters little whether the people who are doing this are incapable of understanding that or whether you have failed to recognize that you are being made light of, if not actively taunted. Either way, we are where too many societies have been"
It is logical and acceptable to avoid friendship with people who advocate stripping basic rights from others. From a manners perspective, intent or misunderstanding does not change the effect of such advocacy. Individuals who publicly support policies that reduce rights create an unsafe and devaluing environment. Setting boundaries to protect personal and community rights is reasonable civility. Social politeness does not require maintaining relationships that threaten another person’s dignity or security. Responses that assert those boundaries can be brief and firm without sacrificing courtesy.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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