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Don’t Fall for It
How to realize your true power
Back in the 1970’s, when I was a teenager, television news consisted of a choice between ABC, NBC, or CBS. Most cities had several daily local newspapers, with most of them including a lively “letters to the editor” page.
My Dad encouraged me to follow current events, to watch the news and to read more than the headlines of the newspaper, yet he offered the following advice, “Believe only about 10% of what you read in the newspaper and see on the TV news.” He also urged me to read the op-ed page, as it was important to be aware of the varying points of view on any topic.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been raised in a home where I was encouraged to question, rather than blindly accept, the status quo. “Think,” my Dad would say, encouraging me to reflect on topics, and seek further education before forming opinions or taking action.
I understand that the majority of people were not raised this way, thus I frequently remind myself that meaningful dialogue is only possible when the participants in a conversation try to understand how others have come to the opinions that they defend and hold dear.
I get that it can be scary for most people to question things that they simply believed in for their entire lives. It can feel like the whole world has…
