Compassionate Critical Listening

Considering all of the readings we have been assigned during the first half of this semester, there were many quotes that I found interesting. However, there was one specific quote that stood out to me. This quote was from chapter three of the text, Communication: A Critical/Cultural Introduction, written by John T. Warren and Deanna L. Fasset. The quote was, “But there are other listening situations where we might check out or harden ourselves or give someone too much slack – situations where we would benefit by engaging in compassionate critical listening” (48). Using compassionate critical listening means to listen with an open mind and a willingness to understand the other. By practicing this, it can be made easier to communicate with those who may have opposing views and understand why they may think or feel a certain way.

With the incredible difference between people’s political views recently, it is important that people begin to practice compassionate critical listening in order to hopefully understand each other’s views and get further in solving the many disagreements we have as a country. For example, the recent presidential debate was lacking in critical listening. While debating is supposed to be used to argue different sides of an argument, I think it would be more helpful if the candidates actually listened to the other’s side while they were speaking instead of trying to talk over one another and childishly argue. A topic at the debate was whether or not taxes should be increased or decreased on the wealthy. Trump was able to make his argument without interruptions. However, when Secretary Clinton began talking, she opened by saying, “I have a feeling that by the end of this evening I’m going to be blamed for everything that has ever happened”. Trump responded by saying, “Why not?” This led to both of them beginning to talk over each other. By talking over each other and arguing, they are checking out of the conversation and the debate, and they are not listening to the other’s side of the argument. During a debate, it is important to get your point across and present your side of the argument, but it is also important to listen to the other persons’ argument in hopes that communication between the two will become easier, and communication between differing political parties may become more successful in the long run.

While it is important for the candidates to bring up important discussion points and listen to the other person’s side, it is also important for the people listening to the debates to keep an open mind and listen. The goal of critical listening is not necessarily to change political views, but to hopefully understand the other person’s reasoning behind their beliefs and better understand ways to communicate with each other about their differing opinions. I found this quote to be interesting because it points out a huge fault in the communication style of many people in our society today, especially with election season going on right now. The quote helped to illustrate to me the importance of keeping an open mind and willingly listening to people even if their opinions may not line up with mine. By doing this, it may become easier to communicate with others whose beliefs are not the same as your own.