Piercing the Bubble
I would refer to these self-absorbed communities as “bubbles.” People inside the bubble create their own reality. They are inclined to only surround themselves with people who share their perspectives, they constantly feed themselves with information that supports their views, and they see others who are outside their bubble as inferior or misguided and may even develop prejudices.
The bubble provides a filter through which others outside are viewed. Engagement between members of conflicting bubbles is not based on mutual respect and understanding, but often unfair preconceived notions created within the bubble.
In a democratic society, we are free to express our own beliefs and associate however we please. Clearly we are entitled to disagree with others views, especially in an educational environment. In the context of civility, the issue becomes how do we disagree with others or challenge their beliefs in a way that is productive and does not involve bashing or personal attacks?
I would suggest that an important first step is to pierce our bubbles. This can occur when we engage others with mutual respect. In a civil democratic society, we must acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own perspectives. When confronting differences, it may also be helpful to recognize the merit of other’s positions and attempt to understand why a person holds a particular position. By extending this respect and courtesy, the tone of the discourse is likely to change when differing positions are presented. The key is respect. Perhaps when we learn to genuinely respect the diverse views of the people in our community meaningful engagement and expanded learning can occur. We may learn that we are similar in more ways than we are different.
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