LETTER: No more name-calling

To the editor:

I’m tired of hearing the phrases “open-minded” and “close-minded.” I hear them too often. Do they help our debates or strengthen our arguments? No. They are only insults. To claim an opponent is “close-minded” could stop any argument. If their mind is “closed,” why debate anything? Proclaiming them to be such will only weaken your argument and tolerance and leave them (the opponent) feeling misunderstood.

Most of us go to school to “open” our minds. It is why we read this paper. Most people realize they don’t know everything, and there will always be things to argue. The terms “liberal” and “conservative” are a better choice, although they are also stereotypical and unfriendly. We don’t need to isolate ourselves from those who think differently by naming them something. Let’s not try to judge the state of someone’s mind. We can be friends and argue. We should be friends.

The frequency of violence this week has only affirmed that too many are isolating themselves from the support of others. Too many feel completely misunderstood. No one needs to feel that way. Let’s tackle real issues together, instead of each other. Most of us have minds “open” to each other and to friendship. We should demonstrate this.

Joan Olsen