By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
In my childhood, a group of elders — mostly relatives — were people I referred to as “old and wise.”
Now that I’m a member of one of those categories, I find that the more I learn, the less I actually know.
Passion is a trait I was taught was a virtue.
I still believe it is wonderful to be enthusiastic and exuberant about life, about a job or pursuit, or a cause that is dear to our hearts.
In some circles, passion has become confused with closed-mindedness.
There is a feeling — a belief — that what a person cares about (passion) and the associated views are right and anyone who believes differently is wrong and misguided.
It is sad when I hear about people not returning for a class reunion became they fear they will be castigated for their beliefs.
Like most folks, I welcome the opportunity to be around like-minded individuals, but I also cherish the times to engage in a discussion with people whose beliefs and values are totally opposite of mine.
Regardless of where two people stand on an issue, when everything is broken down to its roots, we’re all the same. We are here on Earth on a temporary assignment, breathing the same air, walking on the same land.
We may disagree on major points, but that doesn’t make one of us right and the other wrong.
It makes us unique.
It’s alright not to be the same, not to be clones who haven’t had an original thought in years.
We should ask ourselves why the differences must transcend into bitter arguments that sound more like political ads where one candidate bashes another instead of extolling their own virtues?
Civil conversations seem to be a lost art rather than the real opportunity to see sides to an issue that might not have previously been obvious. It doesn’t mean we must change our thinking, just that there’s nothing wrong with being accepting of differences.
There’s no need to back down on our feelings and passions, but what is wrong with listening and expanding our blinders?
I often think about a conversation with one of the elders from my childhood.
We were talking about progress.
This was a time when travelers on Rt. 150, heading east from Mahomet, would be surrounded by farmland as far as the eye could see by the time they reached what is now First School.
There was a house shortly thereafter — long since dismantled — where I believe J.C. Moore lived.
Gradually, other buildings were added to the landscape. At first they were few and far between, but noticeable.
“That’s progress,” I gushed. “We should welcome growth.”
The elder behind the steering wheel didn’t disagree, but asked me to think the concept through.
“Our country is growing,” he said. “As we take more farmland out of commission, we’re asking farmers to continue feeding the world with fewer land resources. Is that a good thing?”
And now, as developments have eaten up much of the acreage out to Prairieview Road, the question still remains pertinent.
Is that a good thing?
The world looks nothing like it did 50 years ago. I can only assume it looks nothing like it will 50 years from now.
At what point do we draw the line and say “enough is enough?”
When do we consider the ramifications of the genetic mutations that have been made to seed to make them more resistant to disease and able to increase yields?
Can we continue producing more grain with fewer land options? Do we want to do that while adding more chemicals to the soil and into the air?
The argument can be made about the jobs that are created when construction occurs, when more living quarters or businesses are created. Can we continue to ignore that there are more mouths to feed, with no sign that the numbers will soon be decreasing significantly?
And yet, some resources such as land are finite. There is a definite give and take which, at some point, is guaranteed to end.
We can be passionate about either view. We can make logical and sensible points for one side while others can make logical and sensible counterpoints for the other side.
The hope here is that dialogue can produce an understanding — not a series of diatribes — that every action produces a reaction and consequences will ultimately follow.
The topic doesn’t have to be land. That is merely one of myriad examples.
It can be about social acceptance. It can be about the political climate.
It can also be about all of us wanting the same thing: a better world for our children and grandchildren. And, it can be done without anger and hatred in our voices.
