We just had a socially distanced dinner with my friend of nearly 60 years and his wife. We're all good liberal Democrats, all detest Trump, all for the same social issues...you get the picture. 

But here's the thing, my friend is far more to the left than I am. And I knew it, to an extent, but the heat from these protests really reveals the differences between us.

For example, he really wants to abolish the police, and none of my truly sane counterarguments were acknowledged. Yes, I'm for reform, and better oversight, and more social workers, and yes, their unions are far too powerful,  etc. But he thinks the cops can be abolished and we'll continue to have a functioning society!  He stated that a black life is more important than a burned out Target store. I replied that it's a false choice and I'm not for either. That Target store is probably serving the black community and employs hundreds of black citizens of the community.  There's no excuse for violence and it only helps Trump sway the one-third of America who we need. He also seemed to support some of the violence that we see playing out on television. Crazy shit!

He didn't want to hear anything of the tragedy of black-on-black crime in Chicago, nor of the soul crushing effects of out-of-wedlock births, especially in black communities. The importance of an adult male role model, especially for boys, cannot be overstated. Hell, sometimes the right does make accurate claims about the world, and just because they are expressing it, doesn't mean it's untrue and shouldn't be considered.

 At this point, he was clearly uncomfortable and they exited quickly. I find it essential to leave the confirmation bias bubble and hear what is being said by centrists and yes, even well meaning conservatives. Will I hear from him soon? I'm guessing it'll be a while. 

Peter T.