How to Deal with Ignorance

Ignorance is everywhere and there are many different forms of ignorance too. For example, willful ignorance ━the practice or act of intentional and blatant avoidance, disregard or disagreement with facts, and empirical evidence━  people hear what they want to hear. Ignorance can also be genuine, often when someone is sincerely not aware of the issue. This can be due to the lack of education on a topic, an insufficient amount of awareness of an issue, and even due to an absence of curiosity.  The difference between the two is the important distinction as to whether it’s worth trying to educate someone or to just let them rant and then move on. 

I want to be clear that being ignorant is not inherently bad. The best attribute of people is the ability to learn and to empathise. Ignorance only becomes an issue when it becomes willful ignorance. Such fervent belief that no matter what evidence was presented they will not budge from their position. There is indeed a concerning number of people who seem to be deeply entrenched in their own ideals.  Even if you are educated on a topic there will always be some conspiracy to refute common knowledge. We can laugh at Flat Earthers, but when topics get serious like anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers, climate change deniers, and the few who are ignorant about racism and prejudice; that’s when things get dangerous for the baseline and the common good. 

How to deal with ignorance:

• At your workplace – Unless the customer is violating company policy this isn’t the place to engage and have meaningful conversations. Unless you’re really persuasive and calm throughout your explanation. Otherwise I would allow them to rant if they’re not holding up a line they’ll eventually give it up. 

  • Colleagues – Your relationship and the severity of the situation is very important to take note of. Especially when it comes to race, religion, gender, etc. Handling the ignorance of people you work with is always tricky but expressing if you are uncomfortable is important. Either in an email or face to face express your unease with their behavior and explain why. 

  • Managers/HR –  What happens when you run into someone in a management position that says something racist, sexist, ect? What’s the protocol? For one I’d start making fervent requests for training by upper management. If that is not an option I’d give them a book that teaches about the situation you felt uncomfortable with. If neither of those things will work then an email or another meeting about the offending behavior.   

    

• With Friends – Hopefully you have caring friends who are understanding. They should be the easiest people to talk to, if not you may have to weigh out the possible outcomes. For your own mental health you have to put yourself first. Your health is important and you shouldn’t jeopardize it for the sake of someone else. If you feel passionately about not cutting off a friendship then you have to determine your boundaries. At what point would a line be crossed? At what point would you feel there is a mutual understanding? These are important points to determine before trying to educate anybody on topics central to your identity. 

• With Family –  Family relations can be difficult to navigate; again your health is most important. Cutting off family is exponentially more difficult so maintaining a relationship that is poor is very taxing. Know your limits and remove yourself from the conversation if necessary. Be kind to yourself and be patient. It’s a slow process to teach your elders. If the foundation of your relationship is solid then you should eventually be alright working through things together.  

Ignorance is just a part of life, you won’t know everything nobody expects you to. If you want to be an effective ally you first have to pay attention to what the afflicted community is trying to change, fix, or are advocating for. Don’t do extra credit work, there’s too much that is of direct concern that wasting precious energy and time on nonsense. Advocates for equal rights will tell you what to focus on and what we want to work on. Don’t take it upon yourself to find new things, we need attention to be where we want the change to happen. For example, look at the voting restriction bills being proposed across the U.S. and the rise in violence against Asian Americans. As of right now that’s where your focus as an ally should be. 

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