Politics of the United States

Written by Karen D. Swim

Politics and Religion are those taboo subjects that many try to avoid discussing in public or with casual acquaintances. However, with the US Election season in full swing, fervent discussions of both occur everywhere, and many wish we’d all just shut up.

Mack Collier wrote a post discussing his journey into forbidden waters on Twitter. He cited a post on social media and branding thoughtfully written by Beth Harte. I read and largely agreed with both posts but also began to question my own thoughts on this issue of “acceptable” conversation.

Journalists are tweeting personal opinions on Twitter from the convention floor. Citizen journalists offer insights via blog posts, FriendFeed, UStream and YouTube. Everyone has an opinion from P Diddy to Charles Barkley and those opinions are no longer confined to polite dinner conversations but heard and seen by millions. So, where do we draw the line or does the line even exist in these new times?

Many would argue as Mack and Beth did that these topics which evoke passion have the power to isolate potential customers and negatively impact your brand. I do not disagree but these discussions are not always off the table in traditional business environments. I have been in numerous business and client meetings where religion, politics and even racial issues were discussed and not always with decorum or civility.

Others would offer that the whole point of social media is to boldly rip down the façade of business only and allow personal to enter the equation. To add further complexity, social media enthusiasts are not sharing the platform for the same reasons. Some are there for business only, others personal and many for a mixture of the two. With the lines blurred, it becomes difficult to establish boundaries that satisfy all. Is that a bad thing?

I tend to have religious and political discussions with people close to me who hold similar views. I read and listen to a diversity of opinions and thoughts but I do not dare have these discussions with people outside of the “safe zone” for fear of being offensive. I now question if that is the most prudent path. If we never discuss the tougher issues will we ever achieve diversity? Thoughtful discussions can lead to enriched viewpoints and perspectives. Are we cheating ourselves when we safeguard our thoughts and beliefs for fear of retribution?

Perhaps the real problem is not the subject after all but our approach. Admittedly I could have lived without some of the more colorful tweets about Washington anatomy and “strategically placed” blacks at the Republican National Convention but I am not going to unfollow those with whom I disagree.

This month Joanna Young tackles the theme of writing with respect. It is a timely discussion which can also be applied to our written conversations on social media. Social media, although not new is still territory that is evolving. There exists a bit of the wild west as we write the rules on the fly. The one rule that will never fail us however, is dignity and respect. If we treat everyone with dignity and respect we can agree to disagree on tough issues and learn from one another in the process. Along the way we may even be able to solve a few problems by combining our differing perspectives into a collective solution. That would truly be breaking new ground.

Now it’s your turn – should we avoid these taboo subjects in public? How do you manage these tough discussions or do you employ the speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil policy?

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