The Color Red

Posted 21 Jan 2011 by Walaa Idris

Surprisingly, lately I’ve been seeing many similarities and parallels between the attitudes of some in the UK Labour Party and some of those on the far right of the Republican Party in the US. And before anyone gets too excited please do allow me to explain how and why!

The similarities between the two are of course not ideological, philosophies wise they are chalk and cheese. However, when it comes to their attitude towards others, especially those who hold different views to theirs, they are Siamese Twins, who at times can be harsh and even vile to those who oppose them. Both have a tendency to view the world as ‘Us and Them’ with little or nothing in between. That outlook makes it very difficult, even impossible sometimes for anyone with a different view to carry any form of civil debate with them. They also have a tendency to judge every issue and measure every situation with the same yard stick giving little allowances, thus making it extremely difficult for anyone to offer an alternative viewpoint. Many of them tend to be self-righteous and regard dissimilar opinions as wrong, period! Moreover, personal feelings almost always find their way into the discussions and turns them into personal attacks such as – Cameron and his Cabinet are rich how can they know how the rest of us lives or, Obama was born in Africa, he’s a Muslim masquerading as a Christian, he is not an American!

It is interesting how the two although different can be that similar – but why? Looking closer, it is clear that limited narrow attitude had nothing to do with ideology or political dogma but everything to do with their detachment from the diversity of thought, and their inability to accept that opposing believes are neither wrong nor right they are just different. Furthermore, that being different dose not always has to have a reason or an explanation, the same as being tolerant, charitable or forbearing.

The ability for us as humans to see and accept a world different to ours without judging, have the sophistication to be a good sport and exercise self control during intense heated arguments and in disagreement, might seem like a luxury but it is one we all can afford and exercise freely.

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