Regional demonstration gives glimmer of hope
Protesters and counterprotesters in Berks County come together for a civil exchange of views.
Many Americans are despairing at the state of our political discourse these days. Social media and the news are filled with ugliness. It can seem as if there’s no escape from the dissension.
We’re happy to report that something just happened in our region that should inspire at least a little bit of hope.
On Sunday young people in Exeter Township, Berks County, organized a demonstration. It was intended as a celebration of culture and identity and a show of unity against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin and gender.
About 150 students and supporters marched from Exeter High School to the township municipal building.
At first the situation didn’t look so good. A group of counterprotesters attended the event, and there was angry shouting during the early parts of the rally.
Things began to quiet down as some of the protest participants spoke about their experiences dealing with discrimination.
And as the event concluded, some of the protesters and counterprotesters engaged in a civil exchange of views. The tone was such that some of the conversations concluded with friendly fist bumps.
Taken as a whole, the Exeter event offered examples of some of the problems we’re facing and showed people a potential path forward.
The tension at the onset of the event was brought on at least in part by rumors that the students were planning an action against local police. Apparently protest critics were envisioning a violent protest along the lines of what’s been reported in other parts of the country, particularly in some big cities. That idea spread widely enough that protest organizers felt compelled to issue a statement on social media explaining that it would be nonviolent and that it was intended to address a variety of issues related to discrimination. Not only wasn’t it directed specifically at police, but Exeter officers assisted in ensuring the event went smoothly.
Such stereotyping is a problem, and not just in Exeter. Even though there have been many similar peaceful demonstrations in communities large and small in our region in recent months, there are those who assume that any protest tied to the Black Lives Matter movement must be a riot in the making.
The way out of this problem is for each of us to start thinking of individuals with whom we disagree as people rather than monsters. What happened in Exeter offered a glimpse of what that looks like.
We doubt that the conversations at the conclusion of the protests changed anyone’s mind. But if it at least produced a bit of mutual respect and understanding of where each person is coming from, it was certainly worthwhile.
As comfortable as many of us are only engaging with people on our side of various arguments, or treating our political opponents dismissively and derisively. The fact is that eventually we all have to find a way to live with one another.
All too many people cling to the idea that the way to achieve the government and society they want is to attack and insult others rather than persuade. The result is that people dig in their heels even more rather than surrender.
So as we enter the final months of what promises to be an exceptionally bitter election campaign, let’s resolve to speak to one another rather than shout; to make our arguments forcefully without engaging in personal attacks; and to remember that people across the political spectrum love their country and are expressing sincere beliefs on the best path for America going forward.
We don’t have to agree on everything. Americans never have, even going back to the earliest days of our history. But if we are to have a functioning country, we need to understand and respect one another. Doing so could go a long way toward cooling the temperature of our debate, restoring productivity to government and calming at least one aspect of the great anxiety gripping our nation today.