Letter: No matter how justified last week’s article in Outlook magazine’s February 22 issue, letter to the editor, and outcry slamming Bow Valley Credit Union (BVCU) for sponsoring the Tucker Carlson event, there is some It seems that tolerance is necessary.
Editor:
But last week’s article in the February 22 issue is justified. Outlooka letter to the editor, and a protest slamming Bow Valley Credit Union (BVCU), which sponsored the Tucker Carlson event, seems to require some leniency.
I have the same right to express my political opinions as the CEO of BVCU. Arguing otherwise on moral grounds requires some reflection. Now, whether or not companies should be involved in politics is another question, but this doesn’t seem to be the main issue.
The attack accused BVCU of violating its code values on citizenship and inclusivity by sponsoring the event, and sent a letter to the editor condemning Carlson’s divisiveness. In contrast, I wonder at what point your response to someone’s opposing political beliefs only furthers political and social divisions.
Everyone can be wrong about something, especially complex issues, just like anyone else. The best we can hope for is to approach these issues humbly, root out bad ideas through honest dialogue, and be granted some level of forgiveness and understanding if we are wrong. That’s it.
Perhaps protests and public ridicule are effective ways to engage in heated conversations, but perhaps not. However, I question the validity of the claim that trying to expand BVCU membership into socially conservative circles is as deeply divisive as protesting someone you disagree with. I’m holding you.
At the very least, they may point out flaws and blind spots in our reasoning. Perhaps we need to regain true tolerance and prove that although it is difficult to tolerate the opinions of those with whom we disagree, we can always learn something. Then we may feel less divided and threatened.
Canmore has citizens of all different political affiliations, backgrounds, religions and beliefs, yet we are always connected through our common humanity. After all, isn’t that what a community is all about?
We are only willing to ignore or denigrate the beliefs of others if we are willing to do the same for our own.
“Those who wish to oppress [an opinion], of course, denies that truth. But they are not infallible. …To refuse to be heard because one is convinced that the opinion is wrong is to assume that: their certainty is the same thing absolute certainty.The silence of all discussion presupposes infallibility.” – John Stuart Mill
Tim Wood
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