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Unpopular opinion: The week I tried to talk about the 'Overton window' at a family dinner
It was a Tuesday in April, and I mentioned how some ideas get labeled 'unthinkable' just to shut down debate. My cousin literally said, 'We don't discuss that here,' and changed the subject to the weather. Has anyone else had a simple observation get treated like a thought crime in a normal setting?
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hannah_hart937mo ago
I mean, the phrase "thought crime" is a pretty strong way to put it. It sounds more like your family just has a topic they find uncomfortable. Calling it a thought crime makes it seem like you were being punished, when maybe they just didn't want to get into a heavy political talk at dinner. That kind of label can shut down understanding from both sides. It makes the other people seem like villains for wanting a peaceful meal. Sometimes people avoid topics not to silence debate, but to avoid a fight. Maybe your cousin changing the subject was their clumsy way of keeping the peace.
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xena_brown506mo ago
Try bringing it up one on one, not at the table.
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