With all that 2020 has thrown at us, it’s certainly been inevitable to get involved in some political discourse. Events in May began huge discussions over Black Lives Matter, police brutality and racism within the judiciary.
November of course saw the US election, a worldwide focus packed full with peaks and valleys. This has made politics an unavoidable talking point, and a difficult one to settle. Here’s some tips on talking politics at home:
The worst way to accelerate a friendly discussion is to raise your voice and turn it into an argument. The moment you start shouting, nobody will be listening to any points you make. All they will see is anger and frustration, and nothing productive will take place.
This is probably the hardest part, especially if they are on the opposite side to you. Remember to stay calm, and to ask them questions about why they feel that way. As much as this may be difficult, you may get a deeper understanding of their worldview.
As easy as it is to slip in some insults if you’re disagreeing, this is probably the worst thing you can do. Insulting them will only close off the topic for any further discussion, and only make everyone avoid the topic thereafter.
If you truly want to win the debate and change minds, make sure you have some facts handy. One thing I always like to do is memorise stats and figures to back up my points. It’s difficult for anyone to disagree with facts.
So there you have it: the best tips I have for talking politics at home. Remember, if you’re going to talk politics at the Christmas table, don’t take it too far. It may be far too easy, but it's definitely not worth it in the end.
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