[Hiro]

Great points, H. As alwaays, my question is how do break the chains of this mindset of us vs them?

MSJ, sorry, I didn't see this thread before. I have just posted a reply in the 'What are you watching' thread, was busy these past few days. I'll read this thread and respond as well. Regards.

Glad you seen the thread, as I am very interested in your thoughts. To go back to what you said in the other thread, It hit the nail on the the head as to why I liked Wilshire's statement. I see people that get offended over perceived slights at them or what they feel to be a negative comment.

MSJ, thanks for sharing your experience and background. That is certainly courageous, and I would venture to guess that your experience would lead you to be more able to empathize with people experiencing racism.

Still, I'm puzzled why you felt the need to devote a whole thread to something that grew out of a misunderstanding. If it contributes to a more thorough discussion, why not.

And while I made a case for communicating intent, another case can be made to be suspicious of intent as well. Intent is not neutral by any means, and even if we feel or are convinced that our intent is right, that does not make it so. There are certainly instances where no matter the intent, the outcome is correctly experienced as offensive. To then claim, my intent was maybe not clear to you, is another way of saying - I don't care so much about you as another person.

The internet facilitates misunderstandings and offenses, as it, - as we concluded in the other thread- , 1) lacks face to face or even body to body communication, so lacks the full communicational context, and, 2) when people feel anonymous, or unobserved, they apparently feel less restraint to unleash their inner demon.

To me, this whole discussion of being offended, of political correct / incorrect speech, is all related to a fundamental misunderstanding of freedom of speech in particular, and to the currently most misunderstood or abused word in this and many other languages: freedom.

So I suggest another candidate for your 'statement of statements': "Know Thyself."

[Hiro]

I am very very very sorry for the racist harrasment you had to deal with MSJ
In my life I have never encountered racism until I was a regular in the Internet.I have encountered Brown,Black,white,ginger and even a few Asian people and never did I saw any racism. Simply the idea of judging people based on their skin color is too stupid and inane for me to understand and still it is.Also I have to agree about the people getting easily offended thing ( no I don't mean you Hiro) the whole " black lives matter " movement for example is shockingly racist. Black lives??! WTF. All I know is you don't call someone black or white unless you are describing them. Does skin color really matter in anything? How can someone be that inane? Understanding how can someone judge another from their skin color is beyond my level of intelligence.Racism stops when people stop saying black and white people. This is it. Again I am sorry MSJ for what happened to you, I really am.

You do realize, - if you have taken the time to read my posts -, that I was not offended in the first place, right? Apparently just using the word 'racist' was enough for people to think I was, funny how that works, I mean: who is actually feeling offended? I do not feel the need to reiterate my points again. See the other thread.

However, just because you feel that skin color doesn't matter, does not mean that there is no racism in society at large. And actually, your description of Black Lives matter as being "shockingly racist" is rather ignorant and insensitive. You seriously haven't wondered why such a movement felt the need to raise their voice?

First of all I think that you should know something about me. I am not American, I am Egyptian.Second I don't think you have read my post, "Also I have to agree about the people getting easily offended thing ( NO I DON'T MEAN YOU HIRO) " you probably have missed this last bit 
Last I know about the American cops shooting black people thing, when that happens you protest against cops shooting people. Aren't black people normal people or what??  you see I am a Muslim too and right now Muslims ( I know that Islam is not a race but I don't know a better word) are getting racism from most people in Europe and America alike. Do you see me screaming RACISM every single second? If so then Bakker's books are racist. The Fanim never won a battle in the Prince Of Nothing trilogy. Self wallowing for no reason is stupid.That's it for now.

Well, I'm not American either, does that matter? I did read your post and responded specifically to your reference to me. To reiterate I was not offended in the first place, so to mention my name as possibly being offended was unnecessary and rather silly. It continued to extend a misunderstanding, hence my comment.

As I understand the Black Lives Matter movement, it's not merely about people getting shot by the police. It's about a lot of black people getting shot - without any provocation that would warrant such an extreme measure. There is also a painful amount of examples of white people not getting shot in similar circumstances or even in circumstances that - according to US Law - would justify extreme measures.

See for further explanation: http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/9/21/12993866/terence-crutcher-unarmed-killed-black-lives-matter

Self wallowing has nothing to do with it, anyhow, it is more useful and valuable to get oneself informed.

[Hiro]

So, let me say something about my background now. I'm Polish and white, like most of people in Poland. But I am also a woman, a socialist liberal and a nerd - which at the moment means that I am outside the official discourse of our government and state-owned media. Since our last election (a year ago) everything is becoming more nationalistic, isolationistic and xenophobic. And, oh, they wanted to ban abortion in any circumstances (currently it's allowed only if pregnancy is dangerous for the woman's life, the embryo is unable to live or heavily disfigured or if the pregnancy is the result of crime). Anyway, this discourse promotes the skinhead, neo-nazi types as modern Polish patriots. The result is racist attacks, mostly on Arabs (you know, the whole islamic threat and all that), but recently a Polish professor of history was beaten on the tram because he was talking in German to his colleague, a German professor of history.
Our Independence Day is coming. 11 November, the Armistice Day. And you know what - we warn our non-Polish friends to better stay at homes on that day (fortunately, it's a holiday, so they do not have to go to work or school) or they might get beaten by our brave young Polish patriots.
And you know what? I love my country and I hate it at the same time. I don't want to leave, but I'm so afraid it will get worse and worse. I've survived the communist regime, early 21st century seemed to be all bright and promising, membership in NATO and EU, open borders, open minds... and now it's all falling apart.
So yes, I am offended. I am offended by racist jokes and comments, I am offended by anti-gay rhetorics, I am offended by our women-hating government. I never thought I would go marching in the streets, and yet during this year I did it several times. It won't change anything but at least I can see that I'm not alone.

Thanks for sharing Alia, and good for you to stand up!

[Redeagl]

I am very very very sorry for the racist harrasment you had to deal with MSJ
In my life I have never encountered racism until I was a regular in the Internet.I have encountered Brown,Black,white,ginger and even a few Asian people and never did I saw any racism. Simply the idea of judging people based on their skin color is too stupid and inane for me to understand and still it is.Also I have to agree about the people getting easily offended thing ( no I don't mean you Hiro) the whole " black lives matter " movement for example is shockingly racist. Black lives??! WTF. All I know is you don't call someone black or white unless you are describing them. Does skin color really matter in anything? How can someone be that inane? Understanding how can someone judge another from their skin color is beyond my level of intelligence.Racism stops when people stop saying black and white people. This is it. Again I am sorry MSJ for what happened to you, I really am.

You do realize, - if you have taken the time to read my posts -, that I was not offended in the first place, right? Apparently just using the word 'racist' was enough for people to think I was, funny how that works, I mean: who is actually feeling offended? I do not feel the need to reiterate my points again. See the other thread.

However, just because you feel that skin color doesn't matter, does not mean that there is no racism in society at large. And actually, your description of Black Lives matter as being "shockingly racist" is rather ignorant and insensitive. You seriously haven't wondered why such a movement felt the need to raise their voice?

First of all I think that you should know something about me. I am not American, I am Egyptian.Second I don't think you have read my post, "Also I have to agree about the people getting easily offended thing ( NO I DON'T MEAN YOU HIRO) " you probably have missed this last bit 
Last I know about the American cops shooting black people thing, when that happens you protest against cops shooting people. Aren't black people normal people or what??  you see I am a Muslim too and right now Muslims ( I know that Islam is not a race but I don't know a better word) are getting racism from most people in Europe and America alike. Do you see me screaming RACISM every single second? If so then Bakker's books are racist. The Fanim never won a battle in the Prince Of Nothing trilogy. Self wallowing for no reason is stupid.That's it for now.

Well, I'm not American either, does that matter? I did read your post and responded specifically to your reference to me. To reiterate I was not offended in the first place, so to mention my name as possibly being offended was unnecessary and rather silly. It continued to extend a misunderstanding, hence my comment.

As I understand the Black Lives Matter movement, it's not merely about people getting shot by the police. It's about a lot of black people getting shot - without any provocation that would warrant such an extreme measure. There is also a painful amount of examples of white people not getting shot in similar circumstances or even in circumstances that - according to US Law - would justify extreme measures.

See for further explanation: http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/9/21/12993866/terence-crutcher-unarmed-killed-black-lives-matter

Self wallowing has nothing to do with it, anyhow, it is more useful and valuable to get oneself informed.

Wow just wow. I mentioned you to avoid a misunderstanding. Sorry if I have offended you Hiro, have a good day.

[Wilshire]

And actually, your description of Black Lives matter as being "shockingly racist" is rather ignorant and insensitive. You seriously haven't wondered why such a movement felt the need to raise their voice?

There's actually some fascinating research on this subject, though unfortunately you'd have to filter out political bias/rhetoric, as most of the research on the subject is done by the opposition party.

In general, I find data the best lense to look through these types of subjects, when such data exists. Racism, sexism, etc-isms. There's a lot out there, especially in the US, just be careful what conclusions you draw from whichever bias its being filtered through before you get to it. Without the citation of relevant and complete statistical evidence, these conversations may as well be impossible to have, as either side just talks past the other until both are too upset to continue (speaking generally, not specifically this post)

[Hiro]

And actually, your description of Black Lives matter as being "shockingly racist" is rather ignorant and insensitive. You seriously haven't wondered why such a movement felt the need to raise their voice?

There's actually some fascinating research on this subject, though unfortunately you'd have to filter out political bias/rhetoric, as most of the research on the subject is done by the opposition party.

In general, I find data the best lense to look through these types of subjects, when such data exists. Racism, sexism, etc-isms. There's a lot out there, especially in the US, just be careful what conclusions you draw from whichever bias its being filtered through before you get to it. Without the citation of relevant and complete statistical evidence, these conversations may as well be impossible to have, as either side just talks past the other until both are too upset to continue (speaking generally, not specifically this post)

This seems fair enough:

http://www.vox.com/a/police-shootings-deaths

[Wilshire]

That's a good link. What conclusions do you draw from that information?

Here's what I see when I look at that link:
What's left out?
Socioeconomics - Most high crime areas tend to be racially skewed towards non-white population centers (note the linked citation is for a different set of years, and the conclusions might not really support what the author of this article said).
Race of police officers - May or may not be relevant, but is it still 'racism' if the police that are doing the shootings are all black? Sure, but its not the same kind of racism if all the police are white. To me, I think that kind of information (which isn't available), would change the conversation a lot.

What kinds of other conclusions could be drawn?
The take away could be that the real problem is sexism. Men get killed proportionally more than women, by an enormous margin.
Same with age. Huge margins.
Where are those protests? Men's Lives Matters. Children's lives matter. Non existent, why might that be?


Suggesting, by looking at those numbers, that the only problem (or biggest problem) is racism, requires cherry picking data. If anything, its very clearly unclear, at least to me.

How good is this information?
Only about 50% of the people who are killed are of a known race (according to this article).
50%? How can you draw any statistically valid conclusions with a margin of error of 50%?


For me, in the end, in the last two years this article indicates that some 2000 people have been killed by police. In the same time period, 5 million people have died in the US. Nearly 100,000 have died from suicide over the same two year period. (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm - extrapolate for 2 years). The idea that every time someone is killed by a police officer it needs to be national news is totally ludicrous to me. At best, its local or state news. Expanding that to weeks long national news seems odd to me.

It seems what we're talking about are statistical anomalies based on incomplete data sets that don't properly cross reference other relevant data sets.


I'm not saying that racism doesn't exist, nor that it isn't a problem. I'm saying that  one must be careful what conclusions are drawn - and closely examine the why behind those conclusions. If you're stance is that these numbers portray an obvious racism problem, why? It could be that they do, but I'm interested in why.

[H]

Great points, H. As alwaays, my question is how do break the chains of this mindset of us vs them?

Well, a good first step in dealing with any problem is often to simply acknowledge that there is problem.  Once you can recognize that there is an issue at hand, you look to identify exactly what it is.  Only then can you start to fix anything.

Look at how many artificial divides we place on on ourselves and others on a daily basis.  White versus Black, Christian versus Muslim, Men versus Women, Conservative versus Liberal, Northern versus Southern, and so on.  What do any of these really matter in the grand scheme of things?  Nothing, except they are our signifiers to what we construe as our identity.  They are the labels we place on ourselves in order to differentiate ourselves, because what is most me about me is that I am not anyone else.  At least, that's the idea, or part of it.  It is often a major fear people have, the "loss of identity" suffered when, for example, people move to a different country/state/whatever.  It is in our nature to attempt to differentiate ourselves, because they idea that there is a self is pretty key to the narrative we construct of our lives.  We fear the loss of that identity to be the loss of our "selves" and therefor the narrative that we constructed of ourselves will become false.

Of course, this is all nonsense.  It only exists because we decide it should.  One can start by not buying into divisional nonsense.  We no longer live in a world where we need to be so adversarial.  A great place to start is to admit that humans are naturally inclined to be biased, but you need to take it a step farther and not succumb to that bias.  No one claims everyone must like everyone else, but there is a minimum civility that should be in order.  Treating other human beings like human beings even if you don't agree with them is simply common sense.  And yet, it is something that seems impossible for people to do consistently.

Why?  Because everything we do culturally speaks to division.  The lip service of "all men are created equal" is belied daily, hourly, moment by moment by nearly everything we see or do.  So, what is more pervasive on a psychological level, that which we know philosophically, or that which we live every moment of every day?

A great start is to question authority.  And the first authority you should always be questioning is yourself.  You should certainly be questioning the shit that comes from anyone else's brain, so, why shouldn't you be questioning the shit that comes from your own?  Is your brain really that different than everyone else's?  Certainly seems some people think so.  The fact is we're all the same crap thrown together in a different fashion.

[Hiro]

That's a good link. What conclusions do you draw from that information?

Here's what I see when I look at that link:
What's left out?
Socioeconomics - Most high crime areas tend to be racially skewed towards non-white population centers.
Race of police officers - May or may not be relevant, but is it still 'racism' if the police that are doing the shootings are all black? Sure, but its not the same kind of racism if all the police are white. To me, I think that kind of information (which isn't available), would change the conversation a lot.

What kinds of other conclusions could be drawn?
The take away could be that the real problem is sexism. Men get killed proportionally more than women, by an enormous margin.
Same with age. Huge margins.
Where are those protests? Men's Lives Matters. Children's lives matter. Non existent, why might that be?


Suggesting, by looking at those numbers, that the only problem (or biggest problem) is racism, requires cherry picking data. If anything, its very clearly unclear, at least to me.

How good is this information?
Only about 50% of the people who are killed are of a known race (according to this article).
50%? How can you draw any statistically valid conclusions with a margin of error of 50%?


For me, in the end, in the last two years this article indicates that some 2000 people have been killed by police. In the same time period, 5 million people have died in the US. Nearly 100,000 have died from suicide over the same two year period. (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm - extrapolate for 2 years). The idea that every time someone is killed by a police officer it needs to be national news is totally ludicrous to me. At best, its local or state news. Expanding that to weeks long national news seems odd to me.

At best, it seems what we're talking about are statistical anomalies based on incomplete data sets that don't properly cross reference other relevant data sets.


I'm not saying that racism doesn't exist, nor that it isn't a problem. I'm saying that  one must be careful what conclusions are drawn - and closely examine the why behind those conclusions. If you're stance is that these numbers portray an obvious racism problem, why? It could be that they do, but I'm interested in why.

Thanks Wilshire for taking the time to look at that link.

The reason I put up that link was that it seemed fairly evenhanded. Although thinking about it a bit longer;

The main problem with that link, amongst a few you cite, is that it does not specify the reason people get killed by police. So if you want to base yourself on data, - in this case -, it needs way more specific information. The link I posted earlier provides more context:

http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/9/21/12993866/terence-crutcher-unarmed-killed-black-lives-matter

In a similar way, I don't see the value of comparing the amount of people getting killed by police with people committing suicide, or even the total amount of people dying in a year. If data ignores reason -- intent -- context, than the data serves to explain what exactly?

There should be a correlation between data and actual lived experience. Even one person getting killed in this manner by the police is a horrible tragedy, I don't mind Black Lives Matter bringing this to attention. And if it helps reflection on police violence in general, all the better.

Also, Black Lives Matter exists in a social and historical context, it's not just an anomalous blip.

[Wilshire]

I bring up total deaths because to me this issue is statistically insignificant, and also I've about reached my limit of investing time into this particular conversation because of that. Part of that is likely because I'm so far removed from the situation, which is pretty shitty of me, but there it is.

As for the Black Lives Matter movement itself ... I'm not sure how you go about solving racism and violence with more racism and violence.

[Wilshire]

Maybe I should add that I've enjoyed the discussion we've had, Hiro, and I think generally this thread did a good job at remaining reasonably inoffensive given the nature of the discussion.


As always, if anyone finds a particular post offensive, feel free to report it and one of the mods will take a look - and try to have a conversation with the parties involved.

[MSJ]

Well, first off, I feel there are obviously many justifiable reasons for people to be offended. What I meant when saying Wilshire's statement was on point, is on the internet I've encountered many angry people looking to be offended. Waiting on you say the wrong thing and twist into what they want it to be. Should I be more "self-aware"? Probably. But, it all goes back to intent and people's willingness to want to learn your intent. This thread really has nothing to do with you in particular Hiro. As I said before, it's something that weighs on my mind and would like to find solutions to the divide not only in my country (USA), but all across the globe.

Alia, thank you for sharing your story. And, again, you have obvious reasons to be offended and just reasons. I also wish you and your fellow countrymen can move pass this and have a peaceful place to live.

Now, Black Lives Matter. Just Google some BLM videos and you will see how some parts of this movements works. Harrassment is their favorite tactic, especially the younger ones in the movement. And, there are other parts of BLM that are doing some really great things. Like having picnics and gatherings with the local law enforcement to try and build some bonds. As far as more blacks being shot and so forth, more whites are shot by police than any other race. The majority of black men shot that spurred this movement, were known criminals or were in the midst of committing a crime. But, when you're shot by a police officer, there is usually one factor that leads to that happening. Non-compliance. If you do not listen and obey an officer and said officer feels threatened, there's a good chance you're getting shot. Its simple folks. We have rules and if you follow those rules, you don't get shot. Is there a problem with LE and young black males? Of course. And hopefully we can find a way to put a end to it. I seen a interview with a AA police officer and he said that when he is off duty, he is afraid of other cops. He takes his badge with him everywhere. Now, if that Does not show that there is a problem, I don't know what does.

I've always had a problem with something I was once told on the internet. If someone feels something you say is offensive, then regardless of your intent, it is offensive. I just don't get that. Does everyone have the right to coddled and say that something entirely not meant to offend, is indeed offensive? Where is the line drawn, or apparently there is no line? And, if something does offend somebody regardles of my intent, it doesn't mean that I don't care about them or their feelings. I just want to I know why it is so offensive and maybe I can learn from that.

Sorry, maybe I should of never started this thread. It was never aimed at anyone in particular. I've thought about starting it for a while now and Wilshire statement, spurred me to do so (sorry, Wilshire). It seems in the end, instead of talking about solutions and what can be done to avoid offending one another and getting along-i will have just offended someone.

[Madness]

Maybe I should add that I've enjoyed the discussion we've had, Hiro, and I think generally this thread did a good job at remaining reasonably inoffensive given the nature of the discussion.

As always, if anyone finds a particular post offensive, feel free to report it and one of the mods will take a look - and try to have a conversation with the parties involved.

+1

Still, I'm puzzled why you felt the need to devote a whole thread to something that grew out of a misunderstanding. If it contributes to a more thorough discussion, why not.

...

To me, this whole discussion of being offended, of political correct / incorrect speech, is all related to a fundamental misunderstanding of freedom of speech in particular, and to the currently most misunderstood or abused word in this and many other languages: freedom.

So I suggest another candidate for your 'statement of statements': "Know Thyself."

Tangents are the often the best threads here. Something interesting happens with any given discussion on a Bakker forum, despite "ignorance being blind" as you mentioned, but especially those discussions that tend to engage difficult topics.

Well, first off, I feel there are obviously many justifiable reasons for people to be offended. What I meant when saying Wilshire's statement was on point, is on the internet I've encountered many angry people looking to be offended. Waiting on you say the wrong thing and twist into what they want it to be. Should I be more "self-aware"? Probably. But, it all goes back to intent and people's willingness to want to learn your intent. This thread really has nothing to do with you in particular Hiro. As I said before, it's something that weighs on my mind and would like to find solutions to the divide not only in my country (USA), but all across the globe.

...

Sorry, maybe I should of never started this thread. It was never aimed at anyone in particular. I've thought about starting it for a while now and Wilshire statement, spurred me to do so (sorry, Wilshire). It seems in the end, instead of talking about solutions and what can be done to avoid offending one another and getting along-i will have just offended someone.

Yeah, no, don't apologize for starting the thread. You're all acting Canadian in here. Stop saying sorry to each other, as everyone is - as usual, around here, in my opinion - doing a damn good job of being level-headed.

I'd love to respond to a bunch of little points across the posts but I just don't have the time to spare. Bothersome.

But... in the interest of making a impact while the thread is active, now that I've read it all:

- People will get offended about whatever they'll get offended about, over which myself as offending party, have zero control. I myself get super offended by things that offend me (often disturbing those who are used to my easygoing disposition). I take weird stands in everyday conversation.

Obviously, we can take care in how we conduct ourselves but, clearly, offense gets sticky even when we're all trying to carefully spell things out (which, of course, references the aforementioned messiness of language and intent).

- Whatever attribution, in the contexts mentioned throughout these threads, that people make reflects their understanding of personal agency and how they feel they can express their agency in the world without conflict. That's somewhat longwinded to parse. In the case of the pyramids people will - frustratingly - suggest that humans couldn't have built the pyramids outsourcing our human agency to beings greater than us. In the case of racism people will suggest that they lack their own agency and blame their lack of agency on beings they deem lesser than them.

I don't have an opinion on the matter so much as I think that the situation is far more insidious than the adjectives we use or the data gathered and presented.

- People choose how they act. Granted this one becomes super-complicated in Bakker context, but his is the classic, be-all, end-all cop-out. I'm much more Machiavellian in my estimation of my agency and exercise of it (which is another discussion entirely). When people decide that they don't have agency, all bets are off regarding logical and consistent behavior, which is absurdly ironic because it seems only when people decide that they lack individual agency, that really vicious and callous behaviors emerge.

It comes down to some kind of personal responsibility.

And as I can't ramble anymore, I will abruptly cease my needless brainstorming .

Debts and work suck.

[MSJ]

I think themevwnts of the past few days here in America have added so much weight to my thoughts in my OP. The levels of hypocrisy right now are staggering. The left who preach equality, the end of raciam, sexism, xenophobia, misogyny and bigotry, are laughably accusing a bloc of voters (rural white males) solely on the candidate they chose to vote for. It sickening, and shows how when a group that preaches tolerance has reverted to name calling on false assumptions because, guess what? They've been OFFENDED!

First off, I know many, many Trump supporters who are very great human beings that are anything but the labels that are being placed on them. And its wrong, wrong on so many levels. When Obama was elected in 08' and 12', how many riots did we see? Its shows the level of ignorance, hate and divide in this country.

I wasn't a Trump supporter, yet when he became president-elect, it is the duty of every American to put aside their differences and unite towards a better America. Since being elected I've gained this mindset, and as my dad always preached investigate for yourself. (My dad hates Trump and what I'm getting ready to tell you, we had thus same conversation 2 hours ago, he is not the optimist that I seem to be. First, let me tell you my political views, its easy, I'm as middle of the road as they come. I can see bothe sides wants and reasons and believe there is compromise available on nearly every major issue in our country.

What I'm getting ready to tel you is my optimistic opinion, but has come about by reading up on Trump, taking into account that not only did he defeat the Democrats, he also fought the Republican party up until the last few weeks basically. He is the first ever Republican nominee to embrace the LGBT+ community. Last week in Denver he held a LGBT flag at a rally in Denver and proclaimed he would not let their newfound rights be taken away. I pure thumbing of the nose to the Republican party. Most don't know that Trump is a life long Democrat and still holds a lot of those values. The hardcore rhetoric during his campaign is what I believe he is best at, being a business man and selling and idea or product. This being to get rural white America to turn out and vote as they never had before. What I see happening, and my father says I'm extremely optimistic to think this, is that he will return to a more center position when entering office. He's surprises us at every turn and I believe he will again. I do not expect him to toe the Republican party line, at all.

This I can guarantee. There will be no wall built, no mass deportations, will not touch Roe vs Wade. His Gettysburg Address that laid out his 100 day plan, I believe is another sales pitch to bring out the votes he needed. Will he try to implement some of it, of course. And, the more extreme proposals will never go through and Paul Ryan has made this clear. Some of it I like, a lot of it I don't, but I have faith if he does try and pass e more extreme measures that a level headed senate will bock those. I have faith in the progress made and most Americans not wanting to backwards instead of forward.

In final, I'd just like every American to remember, regardless of who you voted for, Mr. Trump will be our president for at least for years and its your duty as an American to put aside differences and work together and support not only the president, but the government as whole to better our nation. Many will laugh and degrade me for my optimism, but in my mind, better to hope for that than continue down the path of hate and division.

[H]

People need to stop wearing their bias as a badge of honor and imagining that the bias of anyone who disagrees with them is a Mark of Cain.  It's all bias, there is no "good" or "bad" biases.  In a world where most of us have nearly the balance of human knowledge accessible from our fingertips, we use it to confirm ignorance rather than expunge it.