AoD #2: A Family's Public Dialogue

Arts of Democracy

Every few nights, my family gathers to speak of contemporary issues. China, nuclear weapons, terrorism, and how to decorate the family room. In essence, the important happenings of the past, present, and our future.

We gather during late hours and dinner and discuss. The most important matter, at least to my father, is that of the terrorists hatred of pigs and how a majority of suicide bombers could be deterred by having pigs in every public place, because they believe pigs lesser and that they will be sinned by dying with a pig. Eventually we shrug and come to no conclusion on his topic.
To my mother, it's my brother's schoolwork and his negligence to do as such in order to attend a college. Three quarters agrees with my mother's belief, but my brother avidly avoids the issue of his future, despite the wishes he may have for it.
And, for my brother, his priorities are World of Warcraft, redecorating, and watching Fight Night on Wednesdays. Avidly, he mentions them, pressures the family into coming together to complete his wishes and ultimately garners his way.

So, in a sense, when we gather together as a family in order to discuss, we usually avoid the broader, deeper, most important topics due to the fact that one or more of us dissent from the issues when we become uncomfortable. Yet, more often than not, a portion of the family gathers in order to discuss these matters when those who are needed to complete them (and refuse to do so, or otherwise acknowledge the need to complete them) are absent.