Bumperstickers, Tattoos and the Repugnant Cultural Other

People use bumper stickers for their cars for the same reason others get tattoos. 

In fact, all of us seek to express our individuality in some way. And, in what seems like a contradiction, we want to be part of a group that knows and accepts us and holds some common value. We associate with people who share our interests, our particular stage in life, or some cause. 

This driver values dogs, and at least once voted Republican.  I can live with some Republicans, in fact I do. (But I wonder about people who treat their dogs as a significant other.) 

My innocuous bumpersticker proclaims my enthusiasm for Bluegrass music. Recently it prompted a brief chat with a passerby and established a quick, transitory connection with him. It cheered me up.

But I've seen some bumper stickers with which I strongly disagreed. They wouldn't invite  pleasant conversation in the parking lot. And I presuppose that I don't have anything in common with a person covered in tattoos. 

The Wall Street Journal recently introduced me to a term, the RCO, the "repugnant cultural other." The point made by the author was that sometimes we become part of a group just because we are united against those we see as objectionable. 


Hopefully an individual wouldn't get a body tattoo that says "Trump's an idiot." That's a permanent declaration about a temporary problem. And while I might agree, in the long run demeaning the RCO ends dialogue before it begins. Same with demeaning bumperstickers.

The term appeared in an article about academicians and evangelical Christians who serve on the same faculties, but disrespect one another to the point of silence. The article (hit RCO link above if you're want more information) pointed out that in many walks of life we won't talk to people with whom we know we'll disagree. Interestingly, few of the comments left on the Wall Street Journal page about the above article were respectful, proof the problem is widespread.

Well, golly, how will we ever learn to 

http://www.enochmagazine.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/coexist-bumper-sticker.jpg

if we don't listen and talk to each other?  And I'm not saying that we have to agree. I appreciate it when my friends hear out my opinions they don't hold. (Thanks, Lattes.) Yeah, it will probably get uncomfortable. Maybe we need to ask each other deeper questions to truly learn why somebody thinks what they do, or feels what they

do. And eventually we may have to agree to disagree. 

So whether I see a body tattoo or car "tattoos,"  I would be a better person if I were slow to disapprove and quick to listen. 

If you haven't seen the compelling Heineken ad about differences, do take time to click on this link. 

Can you relate to any of the positions held by the participants?  How do you usually handle ideological differences with a friend or stranger?