Make a Difference

I had intended for this post to be a call to volunteer, to put your skills and experience to use to help others, but the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg caused me to re-focus the topic of Making a Difference. Before you tune out, this is not a political post and I will not pick sides or presume to tell you to either.

It seems that we have slipped into a chasm of divisiveness as a country and as a people. We no longer respect views other than our own, and we see fit to belittle and attack those expressing them. It has become difficult if not impossible to have meaningful, rational, open discussions about key issues. We’ve dumbed things down to be X or Y (avoiding the common phrase “black or white” here as this is NOT a political post) and we’ve adopted the “you’re either for us or against us” mentality. I’ve held my tongue in too many situations to avoid confrontations over free thinking and I’ve seen too many friendships ended because of such narrow mindedness.

We need to take a step back and put Country before political party and partisan dogma. It is ironic that both major parties support and encourage “Us vs. Them” while both platforms purport to be about our freedoms – and responsibilities – as Americans. I firmly believe that all sides – and all Americans - want what they see as best for this great country but I also believe that no one side is 100% correct. That’s where the “Us vs Them” mentality breaks down the fundamental principles on which the United States was founded.

We are headed down a slippery slope that divides us - families, friends, neighbors, teammates, co-workers, Americans – further each time we embrace the “Us vs Them” mindset. At this time of crisis – and opportunity – we need to stand together for our country and get back to being civil to one another. Back to recognizing Everyone’s right to free speech, whether we agree with the speaker or not. That does NOT mean rioting, looting, or employing intimidation tactics of any kind; that means SPEAKING and LISTENING. Skills we seem to have pushed aside because both take effort and discipline, and skills so vital to the future of this country.

As the election nears, please make your voice heard – and listen to those with views different than yours, you just might learn something. Only by coming together as a country and a people can we create a positive future for our children and grandchildren. And what greater example can we set for future generations than to return to being civil to one another, return to respecting each other and those who hold views we don’t agree with. How about “We the People” instead of “Us vs Them”?

I know this was not the type of post you were expecting when you clicked on my Blog, but it was something I needed to say. I hope it resonates with you.

Please get out and vote in this election!