friendly integrity

[meganursula]

This is where the party ends
I can't stand here listening to you
And your racist friend
I know politics bore you
But I feel like a hypocrite talking to you
And your racist friend

It was the loveliest party that I've ever attended
If anything was broken I'm sure it could be mended
My head can't tolerate this bobbing and pretending
Listen to some bullet-head and the madness that he's saying

This is where the party ends
I'll just sit here wondering how you
Can stand by your racist friend
I know politics bore you
But I feel like a hypocrite talking to you
You and your racist friend

-- TMBG

Is it alright to have a racist friend?

So, i've been thinking about this problem for a while now. I've been spurred on by a few personal situations, as well as the similarity between this question and the question of 'Do you have to support the application of your job?'.

Does it show a lack of integrity to associate with a project/person that is engaged in behavior of which you dissaprove? Does not speaking/acting against such behavior imply support of that behavior?

Is it ethically imperative to express your disaproval of a decision? Is it important to act against actions of which you disaprove, or is it enough to disassociate yourself with those actions? Is it ethically imperative to speak publically in support of actions of which you do approve?

When does an action become an issue about which one can't agree to disagree? Does it matter if it is only one flaw in an otherwise admirable project/person? Does it matter whether it directly hurts other people, or whether it is just a generally bad idea? Does it matter whether it affects you personally, or only affects other people (eg. its not your business)?

I've sort of come to the following general conclusion:

If I am asked directly about my opinion on a subject, or behavior, it is necessary to express my opinion honestly. I believe that this is true even if it risks losing a friend, or income. It may be my place to raise the subject if i feel that people making decisions are not working with full information.

It may not be my place to raise a subject, particularly if it concerns other peoples' personal decisions.

Otherwise, the lines are fuzzy; most things are not black and white. I tend to be a status quo person, though, which guides my behavior. I do not necessarily think that this is ethically admirable.

Comments

[eub.livejournal.com]

It's troubling to know that many of the worst people are absolutely true to their personal beliefs and ideals. But I don't know what we can do about it, so there it is.