Labor Day weekend came and went, leaving us with cherished memories of sandy beaches and cool Maine evenings. As we return to our structured routines, it’s impossible not to notice the shadow of angst, anxiety, and anger that has seemingly grown in the summer heat. We’ve discussed this before, attributing it initially to the pandemic, but with its end now behind us, shouldn’t we have rediscovered our pre-pandemic sense of civility and thoughtfulness towards one another?
Granted, there are many global stressors today, from the war in Ukraine to rising inflation, and even the passing of the Queen. But do these external pressures justify taking our stress out on one another? It’s time for us to reflect and make a conscious choice to be civil.
Civility should never be mistaken for the absence of disagreement; rather, it’s the ability to accept differing viewpoints with respect and dignity. In a democracy, having opposing political parties, positions on issues, and candidates is a sign of a healthy society. However, when one group opposes another vehemently and without the willingness to engage in meaningful discourse, it fosters the same intolerance it claims to abhor. This replaces thoughtful discussion with dogma, and debate and dialogue take a back seat to the politics of destruction, anger, and control.
Empathy, too, must play a central role in our pursuit of a more civil society. Empathy is not merely identifying with another person’s problems; it’s about understanding their pain while maintaining a sense of detachment. It’s about putting ourselves in another’s shoes, listening with our hearts and minds, and asking questions that show genuine interest. Empathy creates an environment of emotional safety and fairness, allowing for better relationships and a better world.
We can do better. Our community’s thriving depends on our active engagement. As President Theodore Roosevelt aptly put it, “Wide differences of opinion in matters of religious, political, and social belief must exist if conscience and intellect alike are not to be stunted, if there is to be room for healthy growth.” However, to nurture these differences, we must practice tolerance.
Rather than fixating on our disagreements or what separates us, why not celebrate what unites us as a community? Our community is diverse, encompassing different political ideologies and economic backgrounds, but that should not preclude us from finding common ground in our shared humanity.
It’s easy to focus on the negative; it requires little effort. We witness it daily in politics, where personal attacks replace substantive discourse. Regrettably, this negativity has permeated almost every aspect of our lives, with social media platforms becoming breeding grounds for thoughtless remarks we would never utter in person.
We can do better. As President John F. Kennedy wisely stated, “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” After all, our most fundamental commonality is that we inhabit this small planet together, breathe the same air, cherish our children’s future, and are all mortal.
Let’s take a moment to set aside the stressors that weigh on us. We can’t ignore them, but neither should we let them control our lives. Instead, let’s celebrate our community, embracing our differences as well as our commonalities. Let’s abandon the politics of personal destruction and practice listening more and talking less.
At the Sentinel, we commit to living by three words: civility, empathy, and thoughtfulness. We will continue celebrating what makes our community great – that’s you, our readers, the citizens of Greenwich. Together, we can elevate our community to new heights. It all starts with these three words: civility, empathy, and thoughtfulness.
