Why can we not discuss major issues?

[WebWiseWoman]

I understand the AARP Community Guidelines, but I have to question why a discussion such as the disrespect, physical and mental assault of Tyreek Hill cannot be a discussion? This was all-out racism, based on Miami-Dade County body-worn camera videos released, imo.

But, others may view it differently, so I'd like to have opinions.

So my question is how can we discuss this safely if not on AARP?

I get it; leave politics out of it; but please give us a space to discuss major issues, please?

[EricC28201]

Lets see if this will spark some constructive conversation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V16RkvkX4kQ 

[WebWiseWoman]

TYSVM Eric, for this excellent post! I missed it but now know it should be the charge for America! She is so right-on with everything she talks about!

[EricC28201]

This is a valid non-political topic WWW. It could lead to some insightful revelations into how individual bias becomes a cultural bias and then the culture becomes a Vector transmitting a disease the way fleas, mosquitoes or ticks sometimes do in nature. Looking at human history (especially recent history) politics would probably be the worst possible context for this topic.
This is a human behavioral topic (Cultural Anthropology, Neurology and Sociology). If we want more than vicarious entertainment from these discussions then they should at least be held in a context that may produce constructive, helpful fruit.
It would be nice to have a Society and Culture section as part of Lifestyle and Leisure. Part of the problem may be that Politics is a subset of both Society and Culture and the web site operators are afraid of the increase in workload that would be required to monitor such a Board. The other comment about the somewhat milquetoast nature of this particular site is also on point.
Maybe the first step is to agree on an existing board to consistently (maybe even persistently) post such topics and discuss them. Or start a Long Running Topic called Society and Culture (or whatever) and provide an organizational framework for people to indicate whether a post is intended as a reply to a previous post or a new topic for comment.
Racism is a form of bias. Bias is a byproduct of the human brain's natural tendency to try to organize data into information. And organize information into knowledge by means of (among other things) pattern recognition. Maybe the best way to discuss these topics is not by going to the extremes of denying or embracing our biases, but acknowledging them by constantly reevaluating them as an ongoing, lifelong Work In Progress. And, hopefully, produce a little collective wisdom so our grandchildren don't have to watch news reports about scandals involving athletes in the WNBA, WNHL and WSL.

BTW: As I looked into to this particular incident my biases toward the toxic combination of celebrity, ego, and wealth in the business of sports (Collegiate Administrators graduating functionally illiterate athletes Pittsburgh QB Spanish Soccer Coach ) seemed to be most prevalent.

[jonibee]

It's called a forum but only certain topics can be discussed to keep  the peace it seems..It's not a meeting of the minds as far as I can see..very low keyed. and safe..Perhaps other sites whether it be political/ or otherwise offer a place where one can discuss or speak their mind without feeling they will be shut out..

[GailL1]

@WebWiseWoman 

I don’t think this group is too much about “discussing” anything, no matter what it is -  the talk of the town seems to be more along the lines of Games, Rewards, Songs, the dislike of some of the Benefits - mostly premium increases or perhaps not getting what they thought they were getting in regards to some benefit or some favor promised for getting a quote.  

Oh, a few may go off about some aspect of Medicare or Social Security but there’s not a lot of discussion - some seem to want what they want without thinking about how the {whatever] program actually works and why it is the way it is.

I don’t really think the Tyreek Hill incident has anything to do with politics - IMO, I think it was some people that were having a very off day - perhaps from their important high stress jobs or being late to get to one and they all thought they were right and the other was wrong - no attempt to de-escalate - I am just glad that it didn’t get worse.  

At least that is my impression from reading about it in the print media.  But there maybe other facts which I am unaware.

You are right there isn’t a set board here where one could pick to even discuss something like this - Maybe we just need one that is headed as “LIFE”  as kind of a category all for this sort of discussion, if allowed.

Should we also be allowed to discuss AARP’s political poll results?  

[WebWiseWoman]

Gail, I agree that this has nothing to do with politics, which is why I'm asking why we can't discuss? I still feel major life issues need discussion and we as retired people need a safe space for that; obviously the known social media sites leave us open to abuse, which, again, is why I ask, why cannot we have a non-political forum for current issues?

Please, AARP, please give us that space; perhaps require we pay extra or ID ourselves, please?

[GailL1]

I have sent this thread to the moderator for consideration - otherwise they probably won’t even see it.  

Let’s see if we get a response and what it is -