Photo by notions capital
During every election, a number of Republicans vote for Democrats and vice versa. It isn’t uncommon for a person to change their mind and even their politics. Change is the only thing that’s constant, but purposefully trying to change the politics of another person is something I try to avoid. When I catch myself doing just that, I have to remind myself that people can’t change people, mostly.
People can forcefully change others from time to time, but I personally don’t want someone to cast the same vote as myself because I manipulated, pressured, or used whatever other means possible to do so. It’s better to simply ask questions and encourage people with various views including one’s own to challenge the assumptions upon which they derive. Falzon writes:
The intellectual who speaks on behalf of other runs the risk of perpetuating the domination that prevents these others from speaking for themselves.
In many situations, our purpose in starting a conversation is to get the other person to change their point of view. There is nothing wrong with hoping for change, as the urge to change others is near universal, but it generally fails.
Trying to change someone rarely results in change because we are more likely to argue with and attack their story, and less likely to listen to their perspective. This approach increases the likelihood that they will feel defensive rather than open to learning something new.
People are more likely to change if they feel understood, heard, and respected. Rather than demand change, ask open ended questions and come from a place of curiosity. People are more likely to change if they feel free not to.