Parti Pris for Dummies

Hey there! I see you're curious about the term "Parti Pris." Well, let's dive right in and break it down in a way that you'll easily understand, okay?

So, have you ever played on a see-saw at the park before? You know, that long plank with a seat on each end, where you try to balance yourself with a friend?

Now, imagine yourself sitting on one end of the see-saw while your friend sits on the other end. You both want to have fun and enjoy the playtime, but if one of you sits on the seat and refuses to move or budge, it becomes really difficult to enjoy the ride, right?

Well, this is sort of similar to "Parti Pris." It's a French term that means having a biased or fixed mindset, refusing to consider any other opinions or viewpoints in a conversation or discussion.

Imagine you're having a friendly chat with someone, but no matter what you say, they insist on being right and refuse to explore other perspectives. It's like trying to have a conversation with someone who has metaphorically planted themselves firmly on one end of the see-saw and won't budge. Now, think of yourselves being open-minded and willing to hear others out, just like you and your friend gently adjusting on the see-saw to keep it balanced.

But hey, there's more than one way to look at "Parti Pris."

In another context, "Parti Pris" can also mean taking sides or showing favoritism towards a particular group or position. It's like being in a soccer match and passionately supporting a certain team, even though you might not have played for that team or have any personal connection with them. It's about being fiercely dedicated to your chosen side, even if it might not always be fair or objective.

So, to sum it up, "Parti Pris" means having a biased or fixed mindset, refusing to consider other opinions, as well as taking sides or showing favoritism towards a particular group or position. It's like stubbornly sitting on a see-saw without wanting to budge or supporting a soccer team wholeheartedly, even if they might not always deserve it.

I hope that makes sense! Feel free to ask any more questions if you have them!