It's taken me more than a year (see previous December 2017 post) but I have worked through a variety of ideas regarding the next step in my journey. I have become increasingly concerned about the ever-increasing "snarkiness" that defines discourse in our society. We are no longer content to share opposing ideas in a mature adult manner with facts, verified data, and common sense. Social media promotes opportunities for adults to insult, degrade, and otherwise sling verbal mud at those who are on opposite (or presumed opposite) sides of an issue. There is a deterioration of civility in our debates about social, economic, political, and family issues. Name-calling and hateful labeling of others with whom we may disagree have become much more commonplace as demonstrated in published editorials and personal letters to newspaper editors. Antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ and such are on the rise. Those who promote hate have become more emboldened in their public activities, including stuffing hate literature in neighborhood small libraries and on car windshields, and promoting displays and street activities that put down immigrants, people of color, Jews, Muslims, and anyone whom they do not consider "real" Americans.
Where does this all tension and anger come from? Why have we become a nation of such ascorbic opinions and vicious opposing sides? Some will blame the Russians and other governments for stoking and exploiting existing divisions that already exist in this country. Some will blame President Trump for his tweeting frenzies and his obsession over building a southern border wall. Some will blame the growing disparities between the "haves" and the "have nots". There is lots of blame to go around, but not necessarily with others. I believe the blame starts which each and everyone of us.
I have always liked the sentiment expressed in the refrain, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Don't ask what you as one person can do to change the world. Just pick something and do it. It can be political, environmental, social activism, education...there are lots of options. It doesn't have to be about giving money. Giving of one's talents and one's time can often be more effective. It doesn't have to be newsworthy. Even the smallest effort is a step in the right direction. Which leads me to the substance of this blog message.
I have decided to step away from my tutoring and substitute teaching activities. My plan is to now dedicate my next year up to the 2020 election to change the tone of our national discussion on those issues that will affect the lives of our children. This is no longer about me and my "boomer" generation. This is no longer about Generations X and Y. This is no longer about Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. This is no longer about Liberals, Conservatives, and Moderates.
We all need to step back and reflect on how we communicate and share differences of opinion. We can no longer tolerate or be tolerant of others who envelop themselves in self-righteousness as a justification for insulting those with whom we don't agree. We need to learn how to stop and listen to opposing points of view without overreacting to and dismissing those viewpoints as being totally without merit. More important, we need to move away from ad hominem attacks as an acceptable method of expressing opposition to other perspectives. Personal attacks accomplish nothing more than generating anger and shutting down the listening function.
I am dedicating my life to work that will change the way we disagree and express that disagreement during the course of our national debates leading up to the 2020 election, both at the state and the federal level. I invite all within "earshot" of my blog to make that same commitment.
