No really- it is.
I am sick of reporters, social media memes, etc. rejoicing over finding something a politician or other public figure said in 1985 and holding it against them if they feel differently today. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind as you mature, or at new facts become available. In fact, I would argue that if you haven’t changed your mind on anything since you were in your 20s that you are either incredibly stubborn, stupid, or both.
Think about how much the world has changed in even the last 5 years, never mind the last 30. Think about how much YOU have changed in that time. Chances are your hair has changed at least a little. You might be in a new job or a new house. You might be in a new relationship. You might have picked up a new hobby. The point is, you are not the same person you were 5, 10, or 15 years ago. It would be truly asinine to not have any changes in your world view to go along with that.
10 years ago I wasn’t sure what I thought of marriage equality. I wasn’t sure if labor unions were still relevant or useful. I hadn’t even thought about protections for transgender folks. I’ve changed my mind on all of these things as new information has become available to me, and as I talk to friends and family about issues, and simply as I’ve gotten older. Again, this is normal and healthy and should celebrated, not ridiculed.
Instead of trying to find a “gotcha” moment from 1990, how about listening to what politicians are saying and doing now? How about understanding that, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, these are human beings, and with that comes the right – and I would add the responsibility – to change their minds as new facts come to light and as the world around them changes. You do it, so can they.