Learned Opposition

“Often, the degree to which we oppose a thing marks the degree to which we do not understand it.  Sometimes we use our opposition to an idea to cover up our own ignorance.  We express our dislike for things, sometimes people, when we do not understand the things we pretend to dislike; when we do not know the people for who we have antagonism.”  Howard Thurman

Not a new thought, but a revival of a basic truth.  There can be, is, of course, honest, learned opposition.  But I think much opposition, perhaps most, is “lazy opposition.”  That is, I oppose someone, something, because I don’t understand them/it.  Often, the fact that I have not made any effort to do so conveniently slips my mind.