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realmof_themuse] 2009.1.A.5 - Mobbed
Jan. 7th, 2009 09:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
arrow_of_apollo2009.1.A.5 - You walk out of your home, or your business, and are mobbed by a crowd who are protesting something you do or are. How would you deal with that?
As much as I'd like to say I've got no clue how that might feel, but I'm part of the government. Any given decision I happen to make is bound to make at least a few dozen of my constituents angry, and that's plenty of mob for anyone.
These days, though, it doesn't seem like many people are up for mobbing. That kind of behavior takes some planning, and a lot of effort on the part of a big group of people, and everyone down here on Earth is probably just too damn busy to mob. It's a tough road, all of us trying to carve out a life down here, and everywhere I look, people seem a lot more interested in doing just that than it making trouble.
If it were to happen, though, it'd likely have something to do with the Cylons. The official line from those of us here in the Colonial Government-- which, come to think of it, is finally governing over an actual colony for the first time in years-- is that the remnants of humanity live here under a flag of truce and cooperation with the dissenting half of the Cylon race that arrived here at Earth with us.
The reality, well, it's a little more complicated. While there's none of the broken and beaten mentality that I've been told reigned over most of New Caprica, I wouldn't say the sides are blending just yet. Most of the humans still don't trust Cylons and most of the Cylons want to trust us, it seems, but aren't sure how to go about it.
But if something were to happen, like say, President Roslin decides to grant full citizenship status to our ally Cylons? That'd probably get enough dander up to start some mobbing.
I've faced down plenty of people who want to kill me, so people who just want to scream at me are no problem. More than anything, people want to know that they're being heard and that their opinions are being truly valued and can make a difference. The most important thing to do with groups this potentially and historically disparate is to bring them to the table and listen.
We're in an impossible situation, one that won't be resolved and survived without communication and compromise. What is best for everyone has to be the priority, but not at the sacrifice of anyone's dignity or respect.
It's a difficult line to walk, and I'm glad I only have to walk it every now and then. I don't envy President Roslin for having to live on it.
(433)
As much as I'd like to say I've got no clue how that might feel, but I'm part of the government. Any given decision I happen to make is bound to make at least a few dozen of my constituents angry, and that's plenty of mob for anyone.
These days, though, it doesn't seem like many people are up for mobbing. That kind of behavior takes some planning, and a lot of effort on the part of a big group of people, and everyone down here on Earth is probably just too damn busy to mob. It's a tough road, all of us trying to carve out a life down here, and everywhere I look, people seem a lot more interested in doing just that than it making trouble.
If it were to happen, though, it'd likely have something to do with the Cylons. The official line from those of us here in the Colonial Government-- which, come to think of it, is finally governing over an actual colony for the first time in years-- is that the remnants of humanity live here under a flag of truce and cooperation with the dissenting half of the Cylon race that arrived here at Earth with us.
The reality, well, it's a little more complicated. While there's none of the broken and beaten mentality that I've been told reigned over most of New Caprica, I wouldn't say the sides are blending just yet. Most of the humans still don't trust Cylons and most of the Cylons want to trust us, it seems, but aren't sure how to go about it.
But if something were to happen, like say, President Roslin decides to grant full citizenship status to our ally Cylons? That'd probably get enough dander up to start some mobbing.
I've faced down plenty of people who want to kill me, so people who just want to scream at me are no problem. More than anything, people want to know that they're being heard and that their opinions are being truly valued and can make a difference. The most important thing to do with groups this potentially and historically disparate is to bring them to the table and listen.
We're in an impossible situation, one that won't be resolved and survived without communication and compromise. What is best for everyone has to be the priority, but not at the sacrifice of anyone's dignity or respect.
It's a difficult line to walk, and I'm glad I only have to walk it every now and then. I don't envy President Roslin for having to live on it.
(433)
