Persuasion Lessons from History: Robert E. Lee Edition
If you want to win people over and influence them to do the right thing without burnt bridges or bloodshed, you NEED this thread.π
(Content Warning)
If you want to win people over and influence them to do the right thing without burnt bridges or bloodshed, you NEED this thread.π
(Content Warning)
In 1856, Robert E. Lee was serving in the US military as a cavalry officer.
That December, he wrote a letter home to his wife Mary.π
That December, he wrote a letter home to his wife Mary.π
To this day, that letter is notorious for Lee's nonchalant embrace of racist opinions of American Black and African people, which many "educated" elites in the Southern and Northern states shared in those days.
I will not repeat them here. However...π
I will not repeat them here. However...π
Every modern takedown of Lee's letter I've seen misses obvious and life-changing lessons on the power of ethical influence.
AKA, persuasion.
Let's have a look.π
AKA, persuasion.
Let's have a look.π
First and foremost, it's notable that Lee, himself guilty of holding slaves, confesses to its "moral & political evil."
Interesting. Because of what he wrote next.π
Interesting. Because of what he wrote next.π
Writing 4.5 years before the American Civil War, Lee expected slaves to be freed due to the "mild and melting influence of Christianity."
Imagine an ice cube thawing outside on a spring day. At first it's there. Soon it's a puddle.
Imagine an ice cube thawing outside on a spring day. At first it's there. Soon it's a puddle.
Abolitionists could not wait for a "slow but sure" thaw, as Lee put it.
OF COURSE NOT.
The idea that owning a human being is "OK enough" to let die of natural causes ... SICK. Untold suffering would occur during that slow passage of time.
With that in mind, read this.π
OF COURSE NOT.
The idea that owning a human being is "OK enough" to let die of natural causes ... SICK. Untold suffering would occur during that slow passage of time.
With that in mind, read this.π
Despite Lee's own agreement with the Abolitionists (in theory), he saw their tactics as manipulative.
Slavery could be ended ASAP by "[per]suasion." But slaveholders would resist if Abolitionists insisted on triggering "angry feelings."
Interesting.π
Slavery could be ended ASAP by "[per]suasion." But slaveholders would resist if Abolitionists insisted on triggering "angry feelings."
Interesting.π
Lee's position was that the persuasive case for freedom had to be made through moral argument not "you are evil" finger pointing.
Even though they WERE evil.
Telling someone this is anti-persuasive, which Lee recognized.
Now look at this.π
Even though they WERE evil.
Telling someone this is anti-persuasive, which Lee recognized.
Now look at this.π
4 years prior to Lee's letter, Uncle Tom's Cabin was published and turned public opinion against slavery.
Through story. Compelling story. Emotional story.
"Persuasion."π
Through story. Compelling story. Emotional story.
"Persuasion."π
This is not a thread about the American Civil War, the wickedness of slavery, or even Robert E. Lee himself.
It's about you.
π
It's about you.
π
You have beliefs.
About right and wrong.
And you believe these are true.
Which means...π
About right and wrong.
And you believe these are true.
Which means...π
You have a MORAL OBLIGATION.
To what?
To use persuasion.
To "show" you are right, not to "tell" others they are wrong.
That only creates "angry feelings." Feelings that, about slavery, turn brother against brother. More than 620,000 soldiers died during the War.
π
To what?
To use persuasion.
To "show" you are right, not to "tell" others they are wrong.
That only creates "angry feelings." Feelings that, about slavery, turn brother against brother. More than 620,000 soldiers died during the War.
π
If you want to avoid literal or metaphorical bloodshed in your home, business, or relationships...
Choose persuasion.
Tell a story.
A story that shows you are in the right and the others are in the wrong... and convinces *them* of this... without accusation-hurling.
π
Choose persuasion.
Tell a story.
A story that shows you are in the right and the others are in the wrong... and convinces *them* of this... without accusation-hurling.
π
The story of Uncle Tom's Cabin didn't change everyone's mind.
But it changed enough.
And for most of us, that's all we need to do:
Change enough minds.
But it changed enough.
And for most of us, that's all we need to do:
Change enough minds.
If you found this thread thought-provoking, please consider retweeting so more people will, too.
Thank you.
Opening tweet π
Thank you.
Opening tweet π
https://twitter.com/JoshuaLisec/status/1489430627149623303?t=NwxUaGJc9l1BQHhKqETcBw&s=19
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