Today, of all days, a call for civil conversation
So much for the year of being civil.
I kicked off 2018 with a mission, a call for a more civil tone in our conversations, especially our online correspondence.
Too much of what passes for social interaction online amounts to little more than bullying, name-calling and the lowest common denominator.
And that is before it descends into the all-toofamiliar realm of racial invective. I have no idea why, but if you go by the bile that passes for online commenting on DelcoTimes.com, there is no story or issue that cannot quickly devolve into the worst of our racial animus.
I think it’s especially significant to point that out today, the day we celebrate the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to peaceful resistance, of righting wrongs, and leading the struggle for racial equality.
I often wonder, as I descend into the realm of our online invective, what Dr. King, a product of Crozer Theological Seminary right here in Chester, would think of today’s online conversation.
Dr. King once noted the struggle against racism and his stand in Alabama, “with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification.” That was 54 years ago. How far have we come? Racism remains alive today. It might not hide behind a cape. It will cower behind the anonymity of the keyboard instead.
Don’t believe it? Go online. Search any story on DelcoTimes. com that includes the word Chester, then scroll down to the bottom of the story and view the comments.
Brace yourself for a time warp. Welcome back to the 1960s. Racism has not been eradicated in America. It now flourishes for the most part in the shadowy world of social media and online commenting.
Do it enough in the cowardly world of online bravado, and eventually you are emboldened to do so in public. You pick up your torch and take to the streets of Charlottesville.
Very few Americans wore the mantle of ‘civil’ as well as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I yearn not only for his sense of justice and decency, I long for his inspiring words. If nothing else, this nation needs inspiration.
I look to our leaders for oratory that soothes a bruised soul, for words that reassure that we continue to strive for a country that still seeks to “live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all mean are created equal.”
And then one day last week I glance at my phone as I am gathering my things to leave the office.
That was a mistake. I actually had to sit down.
If this was supposed to be the year of being civil, we find ourselves in the midst of a most uncivil president.
For 11 months I have consistently pleaded with the Donald Trump for little more than acting presidential. And he has consistently disappointed.
Every time I think he can’t go lower, he plumbs new depths.
I understand I am not going to agree with the president on most issues. This is deeper than that.
Look, he won the election. I accept that. I do not accept so much of what comes with Mr. Trump. Nor do I think we should. Because I think as a country we are better than that. The real danger that comes with President Trump is the debasement of our political process, the lowering of the bar for what is considered acceptable, and an inflamed dialog that takes its cue from the Twitter account and words of our commanderin-chief.
It brings me back to the word that I used to kick off this new year. Civil. There is nothing civil about Donald Trump. There has not been since he traded his billionaire real estate mogul, reality TV world for the world of politics.
Politics is not for the faint of heart, but it’s at least for the most part tried to be honorable. Or, if you will, civil. Trump turned politics into reality TV. And the public – aided and abetted by the media – ate it up.
Trump did not just disagree with his competitors, he insisted on belittling them.
Boring Jeb. Little Marco. Lyin’ Ted. Crooked Hillary. Pocahontas. Sneaky Dianne Feinstein.
Almost as frightening as the words of the president is the blind faith that stands behind him – his “base.”
It’s clear now that those 30some percent are never going to leave the president’s side.
If they did not when he raised the notion of white nationalists and torch-carrying zealots as “good people,” they aren’t likely to part ways with their hero when he refers to developing nations as “bleepholes.” Yes, I am aware that many media outlets included the actual word. I will not do so here. Remember, I’m trying to cultivate a new level of respect in this conversation.
It’s not an easy thing to do with Donald Trump debasing the process on a daily basis.
So much for the year of being civil. Instead, let’s cling to this. “I have a dream today.” My dream is for a more civil level of conversation. I’m still waiting. But I have not lost hope. I still have a dream. Happy Birthday, Dr. King. Think 2020. Free at last.