I Was a Liberal Who Worked at Fox News. Here's What That Taught Me About Arguing Politics

Time ^ | April 10, 2018 | Sally Kohn

[EveningStar]

It may seem surprising for a liberal commentator like myself, but from 2010 to 2013, I worked in the most prominent den of American conservatism: Fox News. During my time at the network I came to realize how condescending I’d been in my views about not only the people who worked at Fox News but the people watching at home. And condescension is just a snooty form of prejudice; we are only condescending to those we feel are inherently beneath us. The more I got out of my own liberal bubble, the more I met other conservatives who were neither stupid nor hateful — or at least no more deliberately hateful than I was. Those experiences really challenged my biases and assumptions. I’m not saying that Sean Hannity is the nicest person on the planet; his political views are certainly not anywhere near what I would reasonably call nice. What I am saying is that I realized that the person I’d thought of as entirely cruel, as the caricature of a horrific right-wing monster, is actually caring and kind, and a good dad and a supportive friend. Including a supportive friend to me.

[dead]

“Den of American conservatism” - LOL!

[jonno]

It’s nice to see someone on the left choosing not to be a hater.

However, I would point out to her that when using her “ABC” method (when conversing with those with whom she disagrees), that she add an additional ‘C’ - Consider. That is, *Consider* that your Aunt Lucy just might be *right*, and what you’ve been taught is wrong.

[JME_FAN]

Her shirt logo might as well read “CHOOSE EXTINCTION” ... because that is the only path the sodomites are on.

[Yaelle]

There is no way to spend any time listening to or seeing Sean Hannity and not know he is personally a decent, nice, kind human being. To think of him as a monster, to admit she did, is like saying “I thought all [pick a race] were primitive stupid animals.”

It isn’t ever ok to think all people who have different opinions are dumb monsters. Thanks for your book letting people know conservatives are not really as monstrous as they are supposed to be by the MOST PREJUDICED PEOPLE ON THE PLANET, THE LEFT.

[Senator_Blutarski]

Most of the mainstream media lives in an liberal echo chamber. For them, conservatives are like strange animals on display in a zoo. They honestly don’t know anything about them except that they are surely dangerous and poop in their cages.

50% of the population is invisible to these people.

[GOPJ]

I understand the liberal mindset, because I was one when young. It is a form of self-righteousness and arrogance, combined with ego.

I was a liberal when young too... Liberals can justify anything based on their 'superiority' - they're the most hateful dangerous group on the planet.

[bigbob]

It’s a good article. This nation would never have come into existence if people holding different views with equal passion had not been able to find common ground. Life is compromise whether you like or admit it, or not.

[onona]

Amen

[chiller]

Clinton's impeachment angered the Dems, and then the Florida recount. Gore won the popular vote as I recall, too.

They've been off the rails ever since.

[Pollster1]

[Political Junkie Too]

No, I think she means that "C" is where you must agree with her because she just established that she's nice, empathetic and cares about what you said.

The true test is how she reacts when she's "C'd" back. That assumes, of course, that she's open to the other side of the conversational approach, and that it's not really a backhanded swipe instead of leading with a jab.

-PJ

[polymuser]

Ze choses poorly.

[Vigilanteman]

Wow! Did you ever nail it.

In a former life, one of my favorite co-workers was a conservative gentleman who happend to be black. He was far less tolerant and the prevailing liberal attitudes than was I. Once, in a quiet moment, I asked him why. His answer floored me-- "Probably because I've seen more of the damage that their policies have wrought up close and personal than you have."

[arthurus]

I read it. The fellow still thinks conservatives, including Aunt Lucy are ignorant and probably not terribly bright like himself but one should speak to them in a way that does not sound so condescending if one wishes to educate them out of their dull ignorance. He does not consider that something he accepts (I do not say believe because liberals don't accept that reality even exists thus there is no belief there)could possibly be wrong. There is no give-and-take involved. He is giving and the conservative must accept or remain dull and unenlightened. Just use nicer language.

If this person encounters a conservative that knows the whys and wherefores of his conservative opinions and has the facts and is articulate, he will revert to snooty hectoring rapidly enough.

[dfwgator]

Dammit....I want them to think that we really do eat children for breakfast.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

The good news is, you’re still all idiots and I’m not and never was. OK?

[jcon40]

I was a leftist in the 60’s and believed our government and big business were evil.

Seems only I have changed.

[tuffydoodle]

I haven’t read Reader’s Digest in years and couldn’t remember why, so I picked up a Large Print version at the store, thinking I’d get a subscription. The first story I read was about a woman and her “wife.” I remembered why I stopped reading it and tossed it in the trash.

[Slyfox]

This was a good article. I am glad she made the proper connection with conservatives.

[robroys woman]

This is phase one. By Phase three he’ll be a full fledged conservative that complains that the Republicans are too liberal, like I do.