Commentary: Anchorage's Prop 5 Not Needed

[Carolyn Marie]

Funny, its usually the folks who aren't in the minority who decry attempts to protect minorities and say such protections aren't needed. I wonder why?

http://www.adn.com/2...-patchwork.html

Carolyn Marie

[VickySGV]

If its not needed, then will it significantly affect the storage issue for paper in the city archives if it passes? If the answer is no, then let it pass and just sit there along with the ordinance about shooting jack rabbits from the back step of trolly cars!! Who will care. If its not needed, WTH do you care?

[Guest Mia J]

Once again the "special" rights argument for those who claim we already have equal rights.

Mia

[Guest LizMarie]

I've spent a good bit of time talking to people like this and many of them really do believe there is no need for special legislation. They give their reasons, which often make sense on the surface but then I ask them if their interpretation of the existing law is how a judge is definitely going to see it? And that's when they hem and haw. And that's when I point out that if the original law was really clear and genuinely enforced in a fair manner, then no, there would be no need for such additional laws. But because human beings will interpret things often in a way best suited to their personal beliefs, we need to spell out in more detail sometimes what is required.

In a perfect world, no, such additional laws wouldn't be needed because we'd all understand them and we'd all agree on the intended meaning. But since this isn't a perfect world, sometimes extra clarity is needed.

When I use this approach I usually don't alienate people, unless they are outright bigots to begin with. And if someone is an outright bigot and then displays it after such a discussion in front of other people, it usually drives the other people to my side.

The best way I've found to convince people of something is to never put them on the defensive but instead talk about specific weaknesses of their argument and then lead them to the same conclusion I already have. That way they've reached that point mostly on their own and are more willing to accept the idea rather than having it crammed down their throats.

Plus, like I said, this approach also outs the bigots for everyone else listening and that by itself often changes people's minds.