Less rancor, more dialogue

 

By Reginald Johnson

For the new year I’m wishing for a more peaceful, less acrimonious America.

This country has been riven with division the last few years, and it’s really no good.

There’s been constant name-calling, with individuals and sometimes whole groups being smeared with the worst kind of labels. Terms like “fascist,” “racist,” “traitor,” “Russian agent,” “China stooge,” and “criminal” have been thrown around like candy.

 In some cases, these descriptions have been accurate. But many other times, they haven’t been, and reputations have been damaged, if not ruined.

 The constant back and forth and villification has not only poisoned the public discourse but made it much harder to get anything done with public policy.  

  It’s tempting to say it’s all Donald Trump’s fault.  Unquestionably, the man is a boor.  His personal attacks on people have often been hurtful and deeply offensive. But as the saying goes, ‘It takes two to tango.’ If Donald Trump jumped in the gutter, the left jumped in with him.

  Language coming from the left has often been rancorous and over the top. This is a departure from the left I knew years ago, when the right-wing seemed to have a corner on name-calling and ad hominem attacks. Not anymore.

 Michelle Obama a few years ago had a great line when she said: “When they go low, we go high.”

  Unfortunately, that suggestion hasn’t been followed. It’s time we follow it.

 I also heard some good words of advice from Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, who was commenting on healing the nation’s divisions during the riots last summer. He said people have to stop talking at each other and start talking with each other.

  “We have to listen,” he said.

Let’s bring the temperature down, stop shouting, stop accusing and listen a little bit to the other side.