Disclaimer: I am an Englishman, born and bred and as such choose to use the English spellings and meanings of words. I an fully aware of the American language and the differences that have evolved over there. This is not my fault and any misunderstanding or confusion caused by this is not deliberate.
Websters defines a Bigot as someone who has an intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself.
It is this intolerance that I have been dealing with recently.
The person in question is a Communist, posing as a Socialist and paying his dues into the Labour Party: which is neither.
What sparked his outburst was the article run by England’s gutter press about the Queen performing a Nazi salute in a stolen cine film from 80 years ago. Her Uncle, seen in the film encouraging the little girl, was a Nazi sympathiser who, after abdicating, took his partner to socialise with the Hitlers. Her mother, soon to be Queen consort, saluted too.
My Bigot poured forth about the royal family’s German ancestry and how the Queen and all the royal family were sympathisers.
Not knowing his close mindedness, I tried to join in conversation with him to point out:
– This was 80 years ago and in no way is evidenced by the standing and viewpoint of our current monarch or her family;
– the gutter press only wish to sell papers and have no moral or social compass;
– the Queen’s mother was at the time the King’s Daughter In Law and her husband was second in line to the throne, much like Sophie Rhys Jones, Countess of Wessex, is now (or would be if William had no children). As such she would have no access to briefs about the Nazi rise to power.
My Bigot’s habit of shouting down everyone who tries to express an opposing opinion does him no favours. In fact it is the thing that defines him. You are wrong and he is right. There is no half way ground.
I don’t begrudge him his beliefs. Many of us cling to a doctrine to help us try to understand life. It helps order the chaos and inconsistencies around us. I respect this and won’t try to impose my thoughts and “theories” on how life works. His is Communism but he has backed it up with political history from the last few centuries, cherry picking the points that support his view.
Initially I was angry at his shouting me down (he actually called me a f£&@ing child). However the more I’ve reflected on his passion, the more I’ve started to pity him. He has a poorly paid job in a back room of his works. It’s dirty and unappreciated and career wise he’s going nowhere. When I talked to friends of his mutual acquaintances about his outburst not one sympathised with him. He sits alone at lunch. Previously he has held positions of responsibility in other firms but left each one citing conspiracy and coercion.
I’m not a huge supporter of Liberalism but can see the sense in the acceptance of people’s views. It doesn’t mean you condone them. Just that you accept that they have them. It’s not for us to say “you’re wrong, I’m right” because that infers that “I am better than you” (and it’s highly likely I’m not!)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
