Kwame Appiah's Making Conversation And The Primacy Of Practice

Conversation has brought awareness and resolution to many different situations. As explained by Kwame Appiah in his two excerpts “Making Conversation” and “The Primacy of Practice”, he sees conversation and communication with one another as important tools to achieve this ideology of cosmopolitanism. Over the last few decades, the United States has started to accept homosexual couples due to conversations which have also led to the support of gay civil rights and some change in religious outlooks on the matter, if this communication with one another continues, then not just this country but many others can support these couples for gay rights.
To begin with, conversations over time in its many forms have allowed the support of homosexual couples
to be heard. LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) groups have been a huge conversation starter with pride parades and marches all over the country. For example, the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade and the NYC Pride March, attracts thousands of both gay and non-gay participants every year to show their support for gay rights. Advancements in technology have also allowed people to communicate with one another on this subject within mere seconds, for instance, through social media. Facebook is probably the most well-known social media website out there and it gives people the power to post their own thoughts and ideas on gay rights and allows their peers to give feedback, which could either support them or give them a different view on the argument. Television has also been a major contributor to the way many people get there information whether it is the local news, television series, sports or even commercials. Celebrities that star and take part in these forms of media have also been the faces of change. Ellen DeGeneres, a celebrity who is lesbian but has a popular show that is watched by both homosexuals and non-homosexuals, shows that no matter someone’s preference on which sex they like it does not have to stop them from being successful. With all these kinds of communicating that involve a device, there is also the more direct way, talking to one another in person. There is a difference between just reading something someone has to say on a screen and actually seeing this man or woman looking directly at someone while they are talking, having to see the actual tears roll down their face with heart-felt emotion for getting support of gay rights or even the anger and redness on their face towards the hatred of homosexuals. “Conversation does not have to lead to a full agreement about anything, especially not values, but it is enough that is helps people get used to one another” (Appiah 82). These types of conversations with one another have allowed people to see and hear the other side of an argument, and whether they come to a full agreement or not, it may help them be more tolerant of each other by at least being educated on the other point of view.
In addition, Kenji Yoshino in his excerpts “Preface” and “The New Civil Rights” talks about True and False Self and being authentic, which these gay couples are doing by expressing who they really are to the world . Having reason-forcing conversations according to Yoshino is one of the best ways to pursue civil rights; it allows assimilation and authenticity to have their proper dues (Yoshino 559). No matter the kind of conversation people use whether it is through social media or in person, etc., this communication allows people to get their ideas and views out in the open. “I'm using the word 'conversation' not only for literal talk but also as a metaphor for engagement with the experience and ideas of others” (Appiah 82). Kwame Appiah believes that conversation lets people see a different side of an argument. Both Yoshino and Appiah know that conversations in any type of style can help people get along.
Furthermore, religion as a whole has such an influential effect on the way many think and go about their days that it can cause someone to be completely unware and/or disregard any other views their fellow peers have, not just on homosexuality, but any other subjects that may question their beliefs.
The many types of conversations have made it possible for people to see another perspective other than their own. In Madeleine Albright’s excerpts “Faith and Diplomacy” she discusses how genuine conversations and being willing to “stand in someone else’s shoes” opens the possibilities to discover similarities that can help resolve religious conflicts around the world (Albright 39). This same tactic can also be used for the subject of homosexual couples and their rights. Putting a person in someone else’s shoes often shows that if they were in this person’s position he or she would want the same rights that they have now, realizing that everyone no matter who they are deserve the same treatment. Conversation begins with a kind of imaginative engagement that comes from some place other than your own (Appiah 82). Conversing in its many forms can assist with changing ignorant ideals some may have if they are able to see a different perspective. In the last two decades, there has been some change in various religious groups to allow same-sex couples to marry within their traditions such as the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements, as well as Unitarian Universalist Association and
the United Church of Christ (Masci). These groups have shown how over time things can change and with conversations even something as powerful as religion can be a little open-minded and could make changes.
Lastly, in the 21st century, both in the United States and other countries have undergone some changes and started to accept gay rights.
According to a Pew Research Center forum, in 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to fully legalize same-sex marriage, the legalization not only allowed marriage for same-sex couples but also divorce and the ability to adopt a child. Since then, 17 other counties have followed in the same if not similar footsteps as the Dutch to allow marriage all throughout their counties (Sciupac and Masci). There are also counties that have not fully acquired homosexual marriage throughout their nation as those countries did, but have granted marriage within jurisdictions. For example, the United States allows marriage of same-sex couples in 19 of its 50 states (Sciupac and Masci). “The recent history of America does show that a society can radically change its attitudes… But it also suggests that some people will stay with the old attitudes, and the whole process will take time” (Appiah 81). People have been willing to change their attitude and views towards something, such as, gay rights, but it may be a tough thing to do so it will take some time. Overall, these counties, whether they fully or partially allow marriage, shows how society has been improving around the
world. In conclusion, conversation has started the acceptance of homosexual couples in the United States; parades, social media, entertainment, and just simply talking with one another displays that the U.S and many other countries have gained a support for gay rights. Homosexuals in the U.S have shown how society as a whole have changed, but with religion and religious views towards this subject, which have been a constant throughout time can lead to a result of people being stuck in more conservative ways and not wanting to change their ideology about this subject even with the changing views of some of these groups. Through conversations, this foreign idea of “homosexuality” and “being in love with the same sex” has become less “alien-like” when communicating with each other not just in the U.S but all around the world. Even though these tools of communication and conversation, may not lead to a perfect world, it shows people that being more open minded about cultures lets them see a different side of a situation.