The wrong side of history
Wherever there is discord or contention, you can usually find someone warning (or holding a sign) about being on the wrong side of history. I think it is meant to be a persuasive tactic to change minds or opinions.
I find it absolutely ridiculous for a couple of reasons.
One, who determines what the “wrong” side is? The popular opinion of the day? The loudest voices—or the most compelling ones? How does society determine what is wrong? And are you comfortable letting society decide that for you? (Before you say, I would never let society decide such things for me!—remember the last thing you purchased and why you purchased it. Influencers, anyone?) And further, who decided that you must be the one to condemn everyone who disagrees with you?
I, for one, have a difficult time keeping up with the “right” side of history. Like the wind, it blows in every direction and changes course again and again.
No thank you.
Most importantly, we are all, or have been, or likely will be, on the “wrong” side of history. Humans are messy creatures with opinions and experiences as varied as the sands of the sea. My grandparents had very different ideas about things than I do now. They lived a completely different life than me. Were they on the wrong side of history? Am I? The idea is insane.
I believe people generally do their best with what they know. Sometimes their best is bad. Guess what? Sometimes your best is also pretty bad. Can you acknowledge that? Do you ever admit—yep, I used to think this, and I was wrong? I hope you do. It’s empowering when we can accept we have been wrong. When you learn new things, get enlightened with new ideas, or have new experiences that open your eyes to something different…you change. Hopefully, for the better.
Can you imagine the pressure we create with the threat of being on the “wrong” side of history? Who would ever want to speak an opinion or take any kind of risk? No one wants to appear stupid or wrong. It can be crushing. Civility and honest debates are replaced with disdain and contempt. But this is the kind of pressure we are putting on people when we stand nearby, ready to categorize every opinion, every statement, and every behavior as either the “right” or “wrong” side of history.
Let’s all stop doing it.
Like right now.
