To the editor:
I’d like to begin with a quote from a TED Talk on Human Oneness:
“From the time we are very young, most of us are taught to be kind, make friends, share and to respect one another. A child who possesses these qualities is a source of pride for his/her parents. But somewhere along the road to adulthood, most of us stopped listening to our parents and began thinking for ourselves. Maybe it’s because we became independent thinkers as we matured. Maybe it’s because circumstances in life taught us to stand up for our beliefs, our choices, ourselves. None of us can say we have not changed as we have grown older. But, contrary to the old saying, has getting older really made us wiser?”
During this year’s election process, I have watched as groups of us “independent thinkers” go beyond standing up for our beliefs, erupting into violence and anger because others have opposing viewpoints. I think to myself, what has become of the American political system?
So many are frustrated and angry with the status quo. They want change. Historically, those were the very kind of people who formed our government … but with an important difference. I believe an underlying belief in our government’s birth included the respect of others and their beliefs, whether they were in line with our beliefs or not. There was an attempted civility to the structure. What we are witnessing, is quite the contrary.
Watching the result of differing opinions explode into acts of hatred and violence is difficult because it is not at all the intention of this political process. It is a bastardization of it. We sit and watch as free American citizens, who have the ability to voice their opinion openly, walk into the flames of its destruction by enacting violence on other free citizens for no other reason than an opposing viewpoint. It’s fueled by the desire to make things better through determination and commitment. But, is it accomplishing its purpose? Does might make right in this case?
Let’s take some time, America, to regroup and realize that another person’s opinion is just that: their opinion. We cannot change them as people any more than they can change us. Say your peace. Let them say theirs. Let’s get back to the original purpose of the process. Politicians run on their platforms. We have the final say at the polls.
Beth Race
Cazenovia
