The Civility in our Public Discourse
As I listen to not only politicians, who should be setting the standard, but also to average people, it is apparent that our society has lost the ability to disagree without screaming or insulting one another. Unfortunately, this has led to bullying, insulting, and violence. Demonizing other people, calling them evil or hateful, serves no purpose. It only creates anger and hurt, which serves no purpose. Rather than calling some a liar, why not explain the fallacy in the rhetoric or error in the facts. I see it at political rallies, online in Facebook videos, on the television news, and often as I shop at local stores. It must stop!
If you want someone to hear your point of view, you must be willing to listen to his/her viewpoint as well. Only uneducated or ignorant or fanatics speak using vulgar, hateful language because they don’t understand that doing that doesn’t advance their point of view. It is only by sitting down, explaining why you support a particular position with facts or “beliefs” and then listening as the other person does the same. The two of you can then examine the facts, calmly discuss the issue, and, at least, understand each other that you can either compromise or, at the very least, accept that the other person won’t cede to your point of view. Emotional frustration does nothing to further public discourse.
If this country is to survive, if the violence between people over political issues is to end, we must agree to disagree, without the hateful words or accusations. Isn’t it better to leave your opponent with “food for thought” than a bruised ego or heavy heart? Many times there is a “middle ground” where both sides can have a small victory!
“The individual who persecutes a man, his brother, because he is not of the same opinion, is a monster!”(Voltaire: Philosophical Dictionary, 1764; miscellaneous) So long as we refuse to listen to others opinions and refuse to examine them, discuss them rationally and calmly, we will remain “monsters.” It is only through “civil discourse” that America can thrive and build a unified future. None of us have all the answers!
Robert Butler
P.O. Box 193
Marmaduke, AR 72443
501-827-3792
