Are You Afraid of New Ideas?
Don't stay stuck in cenophobia
My sister and I were discussing the current situation in Gaza. She relies on CNN to stay informed on current events.
She was horrified when I opined that I was totally supportive of the Palestinians. While I don’t promote violence, I totally understand the frustration and desperation that led to the October 7th attack.
She angrily replied, “Hamas is evil! They use civilians as human shields! Israel has no choice but to destroy them! And we have to support Israel, our ally.”
I asked her if she read anything about the history of Palestine or about how the nation of Israel was created. I doubted that she had.
I know that CNN, and other mainstream media, rarely provide historical background to stories, but instead offer a 5 or 10 minute “synopsis” of world events, relayed to the audience by “experts” who simply reinforce the usual talking points of the American empire (i.e. that there are good guys and bad guys, and the US is always on the side of the good guys; and, after all, it’s terrorists vs. democracy and we must support our allies!).
Not wanting to end the conversation on an angry note, I asked her if I could send her some YouTube videos that are representative of my opinions on the Israel/Palestine relationship. I stressed that it was up to her to watch them (I wasn’t insisting that she watch), and that we need not discuss the issue again if she chose not to.
So far, there has been no further discussion between us on this issue. I am disappointed in that, because my intent is not to prove that one of us was wrong and one of us was right, but rather to open up more real discussion between us. I feel sad that conversations with my family are limited to the weather and the goings-on of our relatives.
My sister has abiding faith in CNN, and if I express a point of view (not just a political view, but even a view about social or economic issues), she asks me who my “so-called experts” are.
She’s never heard of the experts that I mention, because the views held by the people whose opinions that I value are not the views propagandized by the mainstream media.
I don’t make the assumption that the experts that I rely on for information are always right, or that the mainstream media’s experts are always wrong. Experts view events from differing points of view. I just want to listen to the points of view that are rarely heard on mainstream media.
Views on what’s happening in Gaza held by people like Richard Wolff, Chris Hedges, Cornel West, and Norman Finkelstein.
I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t constantly questioning everything. I have always argued against injustice because I can’t seem to simply accept “the way things are and have always been.”
I have no illusions about saving the world, that has never been a reason for me to speak out. I just simply can’t stand by and do, or say, nothing in the face of oppression.
This passion inside of me leads me to seek peaceful dialogue, to share ideas, to listen. I’m not afraid of finding out that I may be wrong about something. I’ve changed my mind on many issues over the years. I consider that growth.
Cenophobia: the fear of new ideas, is a subset of neophobia. The fear halts progress and can make it difficult for people to accept new ideas and change.
Having convictions can be great, but strong belief does not negate an open mind. Being open-minded means having the ability to consider other perspectives and trying to be empathetic to other people, even when you disagree with them.
BTW: These are the videos that I gently suggested that my sister watch, hoping that she would explore a bit more background into the Israel/Palestine discussion.
The situation is dire right now. We are surrounded by violence, war, environmental catastrophe, hunger, and greed. Endless wars are not an acceptable solution, but rather a part of the ongoing problems.
New ideas to address these problems are desperately needed. Please don’t be afraid to hear them.