When did you last have to change a prejudiced opinion?

I have had a few moments in the last year or so when I have had experiences like that. The movie Maleficent, for one. I thought nothing could be dumber than a re-imagining of a Disney re-imagining, but the story was surprisingly interesting, with different twists and turns. It was, unfortunately, a sloppily turned out product, a little more thought and polish would have helped, but the concept was interesting.

In another case, when I called customer service at a place that has famously poor customer service, I was more than a bit of a jerk, and they countered with kindness, courtesy, and more adjustments to my account than I had asked for. I was quite contrite and appreciative, and have dealt with them amicably since.

And now I may lower my nose from the air and give Watchman a read. :-)

About three years ago, I had to do a major change on my opinion of homeless people. Before I was sure they were all slacking, lazy, thieving, alcoholics and dope addicts. I saw them as merely grifters that did not want to work and was trying to get over on everyone and the system. I never thought any were just people who ended up homeless because they lost their job and ran out of cash, and certainly did not imagine any were strong, powerful Believers of God.

@canidmajor It meanders a lot in the beginning before it finds its focus but it builds quite powerfully I thought.

@Hypocrisy_Central That’s great that you were able to change that opinion.

^ That’s great that you were able to change that opinion.
Way too little are joining me.

When I was in my teens and early twenties, I was convinced that people who committed certain crimes deserved long prison sentences, but my views have fluctuated, to quite a large degree. I still think that people, in one way or another, have to pay for the violent crimes they commit, but I’m not nearly as confident about the punishment aspect of their sentencing anymore. I’m coming to believe that rehabilitation is a much safer and more logical route to take for everyone involved – the prisoner and society in general.

Behavior is often linked to experience and there are a lot of people in the world who have unimaginably horrible experiences. If they were never loved, or if they were always neglected, who could have expected them to turn out any differently? They need to be taught, even if it’s late into their life. They need to know that despite some horrible choices, they aren’t given up on and that they can be reintegrated, in some cases, into society. In a lot of cases, it’ll be the first time any of them have actually been given a chance.

@Hypocrisy_Central I’m with you on that one. Most of the stereotypes are true but enough are not that we need to take it much more seriously.

At one point I’d have rather have grabbed an electric fence while standing in a puddle of cow piss than consider the legitimacy of a Hillary Clinton presidency.

I’m still not happy, but becoming resigned.
The demon I know.
Preservation of the State.

Once upon a time I used to believe that there were only two types of people: the good and the bad. Now I’ve come to realize that usually there’s no one who is evil for the sake of it. Everyone has their point for their action.

Here’s one:
I was raised as a closet conservative. Liberal on the face, conservative in the home.
Mom was from an influential Democratic family, dad was a John Bircher (literally). Dad enforced his views, and NPR was socialist propaganda sucking off the public teat that should be abolished.
I remember visiting liberal friends in Florida a few years back, and sniggering about them having NPR playing 24/7 in their bathroom. (Eyeroll)

I ran across NPR a little over a year ago, and it’s my best buddy today. The most informative, interesting and and unbiased conversation I hear.
It’s been an uphill struggle, but I’m finally able to say in front of friends, “I heard on NPR today…” without derision.