In my blissful ignorance – or perhaps hopeful naivete – I figured once the election was over and the ballots were counted, perhaps civil discourse might appear from its long winter nap. Apparently it has been napping for quite a few years, and sadly continues its nap. I’m hopeful it is just taking a nap and hasn’t died in its sleep.
I am particularly stunned by public figures mocking others for whatever reason. I don’t just mean political figures either. Apparently it is ok to make demeaning remarks about pretty much anyone if they disagree with you. It is okay to teach our children to treat our “enemies” or those we don’t like or those we don’t agree with, in a gleefully trashing manner.
It has been my experience in life that what goes around comes around. What you send out into the lives of others, comes back into your own (Edwin Markham). It is unnecessary to ridicule, belittle, or trash-talk others in order to get a point across. And just because a public figure behaves badly, indeed engages in mocking or taunting, does not provide an excuse for you to return the favor.
So, when your least favorite public figure – political, entertainment, sports, whomever – is mocked or taunted, remember it is a reflection of the character of the person who is doing the mocking or taunting.
I think we can all be a bit bigger than we are collectively behaving. I hope.
Just Sayin' 