Alan Sparrow
We need to talk. I don’t mean that someone is in trouble. I just mean we need to be able to talk about things. A wise piece of marriage and family advice is that “the things we can’t talk about we end up yelling and screaming about.” I think that is true not only in our closest relationships, but also as a society.
Wouldn’t it be fair to say that where we see the most conflict in America today is where we are least able to communicate? In some cases, disagreeing voices are silenced and in others the sides are clearly drawn and separated so there is no communication between the two. Social media feeds us more content agreeing with us, and we never see other points of view. What is the solution? I think we need to talk more and listen more. Which comes first? Well, there are things that need to be said out loud. Some messages have been silenced, but I think the bigger problem is that we hold back things that need to be said because of fear. At the same time, I would also say that if we listened better more people would listen to us when it’s our turn to talk.
Newspaper is a great way to get out a message, but it doesn’t listen. The best it can do is spark conversation. That’s what I want to accomplish with my column. I love to talk about politics and religion. There are so many important things we can talk about. But I don’t like to fight about politics and religion. There is so much that we can learn from each other, but we won’t learn anything if we fight or refuse to talk.
Other things I enjoy talking about are technology, astronomy, history, and family stories. I’ll try to bring a mixture of topics, stories, and ideas to share. Maybe if we talk more we’ll understand each other better.
Beth and I look forward to serving you through the Nance County Journal.