I Will Not Fit In Your Box Or Fall In Line

I am not your 'Leftist' or 'Rightist' or 'Centrist' in my political views. I will not be easily classified in a box of your definition either, unless it is titled 'Not Easily Classifiable'.

I want to be 'right' in the sense that I have views and opinions that I hope are

- fair to me and others

- 'correct' according to some moral principles or values I hold, along with most people

My views on various issues might fall all over the place, guided by the above idea of what I consider is right.

That Left-Right spectrum is a flawed construct in my view that people try to impose on others.

If you try to fit me on a straight line between 'The Left' end and 'The Right' end, it will not work. I will not fit into any of your boxes either.

I believe most humans are like that - a bit all over the place and uniquely themselves, even with a lot in common with some others.

I have been labelled everything at various times on various issues - 'Communist', 'Leftist', 'Moderate', 'Rightist, 'Atheist', 'Religious', 'Capitalist', 'Liberal', "Conservative' ,''Socialist', 'Democrat', 'Nationalist' and 'Anarchist' by others. They try hard to place everyone in a straight line. I will not fit neatly into your boxes too - 'Indian','Hindu' or 'IT Professional' or 'Pessimist' or 'Optimist', 'Serious', 'Flippant' or whatever.

I support various elements of Capitalism, Socialism, Immigration, Free Trade and Protectionism. I am for non-discrimination on the basis of gender, race, nationality or sexual orientation, dress-sense, hairline, musical or food preference, unless it is relevant to letting everyone be as much as possible of who they want to be without trampling on others.

Of course, when someone claims they belong somewhere on a straight line or in a box - saying 'I am a Leftist' or 'Left of Centre' or whatever, I respect their own sense of belonging. I give that some weightage and go about dealing with them on an issue-by-issue basis looking at the specific values or arguments they bring. Many times I have noticed them to be contradictory to what they claim. I just deal with that issue and not try to challenge their notion of themselves, unless pushed to.

What do you believe you are, or NOT are?



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2016
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