It’s Christmas week, a time of generosity and peace, and also a time of family. I wrote this post a week ago, but perhaps it’s perfect now—it’s about finding the right balance between love and honesty. Many of our loved ones don’t share our political beliefs. There is a way to lovingly disagree, and I believe that’s what’s needed now.
I’ve been bewildered, heartbroken, and anxious about many Americans’ belief that the election was somehow stolen. It feels important to speak the truth clearly: that President Trump has been lying, the election was free and fair, and Joe Biden is our rightful president-elect.
And yet, to me it also feels important to speak these truths from a place of love and respect. Tribalism is largely how we got here, and love and respect are what I sincerely feel for many conservatives, despite my anger with some of their decisions.
The following poem came out of those sentiments. I know nothing about poetry, but sometimes my thoughts come out in poem form. Regardless of this poem’s literary quality, it captures what I want to say.
I Love You, But You’re Wrong
You and I have been talking a good long while,
And you’ve taught me many things.
Sometimes, you’ve changed my mind
Or revealed my weaknesses.
It’s been challenging to listen to you,
But how else will I grow except by being challenged?
I honor you as a friend, a good person, and a patriot.
I respect you for your passion, your devotion, and your effort.
I love you because we’re both human, and because I see your goodness.
It’s from this place of love that I tell you that
This time,
Right now,
You’re wrong.
It doesn’t mean you’re always wrong
Or that I’m never wrong.
It just means you’re wrong right now,
About this.
It’s okay to be wrong.
You’ve been duped, misled, or maybe underestimated.
You’ve allowed mistrust to lead you astray.
It’s time to step back,
Gather the facts—all the facts—
Take deep breaths,
And see that humility
Is better than righteousness.
Please believe me when I say I still love you,
And please tell me next time you know
That I’m wrong.
Nice piece, Katie
But I’m kind of confused about this statement…. “humility is better than righteousness”
Please help me understand
Mawuli, I can see how that would be confusing. I was taking some artistic liberty there, because what I really meant was that humility is better than self-righteousness. Righteousness, or living in a virtuous way, is good. Self-righteousness, or a false sense of superiority, is bad. Maybe I should change the wording of the poem…but it sounded better this way. 🙂