It's Not My Job to Educate You!

The things we do for each other that aren't jobs might be the things that matter most.

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There’s this phrase you run across online whenever tempers start flaring and heads start butting. One person makes some sort of social or political claim. Someone else challenges them on it. Person A defends their case. Person B pushes back, and then Person A loses patience and decides that “It’s not my job to educate you” or some version of that. 

I understand where this is coming from and in many cases, it’s probably justified. Life is busy. Google is free. Why waste time screenshotting scientific studies and polling data for an internet stranger? Live your life! 

But on the other hand, this attitude can be indicative of some broader issues in our discourse that might be holding all of us back a little. Sure, it’s not your job to educate anyone. It’s not even really your responsibility. But it might be an opportunity. A gift you, and only you, can give.