A new plan:

I have thought long and hard on how segregation could be ended. How do you have both sides win? Is it even possible? Can I even see all the sides right now or am I still oblivious? Even with the questions and doubts running through my head I came up with an idea on ending segregation.

Building from the realization both sides are arguing for the same thing- to look out for everybody’s best interest- we could, over a series of years, investigate which forms of segregation are beneficial to people and which forms are not. For example, after studying two groups of people- one with gender equality and one with gender segregation- we would be able to see which forms of gender segregation are beneficial to people and which ones are not. They would be observed to see if wearing the same clothes or different clothes are better, whether having one restroom for both genders or two are better, whether or not class rooms with all one gender learn better than with ones mixed and so on. If we did this with all types of segregation we would be able to see where segregation would be beneficial and where it wouldn’t. By having both sides represented with their core idea expressed as the fulcrum of the investigation the results of these experiments would move towards ending segregation because both sides would see the truth leading from their defining belief.

Failing?

Many forms of segregation are illegal in the United States. Yet, many people passively aggressively cheat the system in an attempt to follow what they believe is right. Making segregation illegal didn’t stop the issue because it created a dichotomy, the winners (those against segregation) and the losers (those for segregation). Unlike other heated topics the "losers" fight back silently where as the "winners" who feel threatened voice their opinions on the matter. Until both sides are able come to a winning situation their will not be peace in the issue of segregation.

PEACE?

All of the previous acknowledgements of the differing sides proved to help us gain a negative peace (one in which neither side is ready to physically harm the other). Now, both sides look at the other with the knowledge that their core idea behind their viewpoint is the same as their own. Consequently, both sides think the other is simply dumb and didn’t come to the right conclusion from their core idea. Yet, this is not a peaceful ground on which to stop at because neither side is satisfied with the other. There is always a person who wins the argument at the end of each day, yet they fight again come morning.

Arguing for the same thing?

Both sides of segregation aim to look out for everyone’s best interest.

Exceptions to the Rule

When looking at either side I realized their would be times when both sides would contradict what they believed. Segregation is not a black and white matter, it is very complex with hidden innuendos.

Against segregation:

Someone, who is against segregation, could be for segregation in the case that a person is destructive and hurtful to those around them despite society’s openness and multiple actions towards understanding and accepting who they are. Their reasoning behind their changing viewpoint could be, in order to protect the rest of society and the continuation of desegregation for everyone else.

For Segregation:

A person could have a changed view point on segregation- at least in one case -if a person supporting segregation was put into a situation where a family member or loved one suddenly joined the ranks of those whom they wished to segregate. Especially if to keep their ideal they would have to subjugate, harm, or kill their loved one who became different.

Backbone behind the two main sides:

· Those against segregation are advocates for equality through dispersal of all, for they believe it is the best way for society to flourish.

· Those for segregation are advocates for equality through separating people into the most effective groups, for they think this is the best way for the society to flourish.

Options as vast as the Horizon

Continuing to look and think on the topic of segregation, I realized I left out an important part of the equation. I looked at my own bias but I didn’t look at what other people would bring to the table. How do people view segregation? Do we all come at the issue with the same background knowledge?

There are three main different venues from which a person can attack this situation (at least that was all I could think of their could be more)

Against Segregation

No opinion on the matter

For Segregation

I then asked myself is everyone who is in each particular venue in it for the same reasons? Or are their multiple reasons behind the view point?

In order to start looking at the various types of ways a person could look at segregation I broke up the categories and started to brain storm on what would lead a person to each view point. Please note this is not an exhausted list – there are many other ways in which either I am too biased to think of or I am still digesting the thought in my mind. So please feel free to point out ideas I missed!

To start off lets look at just one of the Venues:

Against Segregation:

Christian Values: This group is against segregation because they believe it would be going against their religion to judge others. Yet, under this category there could be differences between the denominations, each individual church, who makes up the church, and how a person interprets the bible.

Personal Experience: They have experienced segregation in a way which allowed them to see why it is not desirable in their life. In this category there could be different extremes of people. Including, those against all forms of segregation, those against the ones that hurt them or their family members, and those who only concern themselves only with the most pressing forms of segregation.

Observation: This group of people of is against segregation because they enjoy watching others and have come to the conclusion they are against segregation. Once again, this could mean a million different things – they could be against one type and not another, they could have a different definition of segregation than others, or they could be against segregation but view it as an unavoidable entity. To make this category even harder they could be observers who observed and decided to have either no opinion on the matter or decide to be for segregation.

Personality – This group is made of people who have a heart towards compassion. They always want what is best for others and if they deem segregation is bad then they would be against segregation. Yet, they could be against some types of segregation and for others – because they might think in some ways segregation allows certain people more opportunities (it would be best