We live in a time when in some circles it’s claimed that “two opposing things can both be right” or that “there are good people on both sides.”
But let’s be clear: that’s not always true. In fact, sometimes it’s dangerously false. And that misinformation spreads like wildfire.
Opposing views can certainly coexist when they’re about taste or preference—like loving chocolate over vanilla, or choosing city life over country living. Those are subjective, and both sides can be true in their own way.
But when the stakes are important–
–moral, not personal–both sides cannot be equally valid. If one side fights for equality and the other side fights to deny it, there is no moral equivalence.
If one side stands for truth while the other promotes lies, you cannot split the difference and pretend both are “right.”
Saying there are “good people on both sides” or “both sides are equally valid” in those moments blurs the line between justice and injustice. It excuses harmful ideologies by wrapping them in the cloak of “personal choice.” It allows destructive behavior to masquerade as just another point of view.
History makes this plain.
At key turning points—abolition versus slavery, suffrage versus disenfranchisement, civil rights versus segregation—there weren’t two equally valid sides. Pretending otherwise only prolonged the suffering of the oppressed.
The hard truth is this: sometimes there aren’t two sides. Both sides are not always right. There’s just right and wrong.
And our responsibility is to recognize the difference—and have the courage to stand where justice lives.
Carol, you stated this situation clearly. Justice can be felt in the heart and soul. What is happening now is years of anger and hate being allowed to take over…to become the rule. An example…throwing children to the ground because maybe their parents are not full citizens does not SAY anything about democracy, does not even take a stand as to how a change might be made. It is simply cruelty. It is not justice. Thanks for your post.
I agree with this. Sure there’s nuance here and there, but there are also some absolutes that can’t be denied. You listed many of the ones I was thinking.
Thanks, Carol. I’m sick of word gymnastics used to disempower and justify positions that just are.not.right. Thanks for calling some of the shenanigans out.
you are very true and the real problem is when you listen both sides with patience and can see who is mixing lies and how much and what is the effect on this actual matter. Be the one to know th rright and the wrong is a matter of courage too. Thanks for the beautiful article.
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Why Both Sides Can’t Always Be Right
This hits the nail on the head. Chocolate vs. vanilla? Sure. Human rights? There’s only one right side, and pretending otherwise is dangerous.
And we’ve seen just how dangerous it is.
Carol, you stated this situation clearly. Justice can be felt in the heart and soul. What is happening now is years of anger and hate being allowed to take over…to become the rule. An example…throwing children to the ground because maybe their parents are not full citizens does not SAY anything about democracy, does not even take a stand as to how a change might be made. It is simply cruelty. It is not justice. Thanks for your post.
The cruelty is astonishing. It really is.
I agree with this. Sure there’s nuance here and there, but there are also some absolutes that can’t be denied. You listed many of the ones I was thinking.
I knew that would be true of you!
Thanks, Carol. I’m sick of word gymnastics used to disempower and justify positions that just are.not.right. Thanks for calling some of the shenanigans out.
That’s exactly it I agree.
you are very true and the real problem is when you listen both sides with patience and can see who is mixing lies and how much and what is the effect on this actual matter. Be the one to know th rright and the wrong is a matter of courage too. Thanks for the beautiful article.
Thanks for extending the conversation, Puneet.