Being a member at the Chicago Art Institute has its perks and the member lounge is where the real art is.
There is an unlimited hot bar of coffee and tea, cozy black leather seats and fuzzy orange futons to rest while you work or take a break from the maze of paintings. The white walls surround people of all different backgrounds and professions.
Today I sit and people watch: Students pretending to write papers, but instead watching Youtube videos of cats, photographers with massive cameras writing furiously in their notebooks, old men in black boots and knee high socks reading art history books, and two very special, elderly women in sweaters, sipping on black coffee and arguing.
Sitting on the left side of the couch is an elderly woman: Black dramatic hat with a bow on top covering her gray hair, Coach slippers and ankle socks, draped in a big beige peacoat. On the right side, a second elderly woman: Fiery red hair, cream-colored sweater and matching pants with a black coat resting on the side arm of the couch.
The first woman, very liberal.
The second woman, blatantly conservative.
I listen to their conversation about presidential candidates and why one woman hates Hillary Clinton and how both of them strongly dislike Trump. They both agree immigration needs to be reformed, but disagree on how it should be reformed. They discuss religion and the separation of church and state. They talk about Muslims in America. Some of the issues I hear anger me. I long to join in on the conversation.
They notice me staring and the liberal woman apologizes for talking so much, and the conservative says, "she probably wasn't even listening." The liberal woman agrees and says that I probably don’t know a lot about social issues. I tell them I listened to every word they said, am decently educated, interested in social issues, and curious as to why they both don’t like Trump – the one thing they can agree on.
I did not know that this question would suck me into a whirlwind of debate and conversation from both sides, but here I am trapped.
The conservative tells me Tump has brought up good issues that have been ignored, but she does not think he's fit for president. The liberal women laughs and says, "you mean by putting up a giant wall? Are you crazy?" They continue to talk about it, but never once do they raise their voices or insult the other.
The liberal woman then talks about the opera and separation of church and state. She tells me a story about how some church marriage ceremonies prohibited playing music from a famous Opera performer because of an immoral act he committed. She explained her fury toward the act and how his beautiful music should be allowed to be played anywhere, regardless of his moral tendencies.
The conversation continued and moved into how they are political opposites, but still best friends. They always come to the Art Institute, and they always share and discuss their differences. The conservative woman says she has many liberal friends, and can debate with some of them, but for most, politics cannot be a topic of discussion, especially during Thanksgiving.
Her son-in-law and her get into actual arguments, rather than debate. He apparently does not let her talk which results in a fight.
The liberal woman has the opposite problem. Her daughter does not want to have an opinion about politics and won’t talk because she is scared. This is worse than being overly passionate and intolerant to other’s opinions.
Among a sea of unique individuals surrounding me, these two women managed to stand out by having a discussion and debate about important topics affecting the world. Yet, they're still best friends and continue to respect each other. They never tried to prove each other wrong, even when the other was clearly right. They shared their perspectives and ideas, creating an environment open to critical thinking and change.
More people need to have the courage and civility to discuss important things going on in the world. You can still be best friends and love someone who has a different perspective on how life should be. Maybe their ideas will expand your mind and inspire thoughts you never thought you would have.
If we want to make the world “a better place” we need to start having conversations like these two elderly ladies have by allowing our views to change and grow. Maybe in time, the world will change and grow along with them.
