By T. R. Shaw Jr.
Before the 2016 election cycle, I enjoyed
discussing politics. I remember animated
discussions about policy, elections and candidates with friends and colleagues. It wasn’t much different than debating the
Michigan-Ohio State football game in its level of seriousness.
We used to respect each other and could actually discuss topical issues
in a civil manner, even if we disagreed.
I’m saddened, and somewhat frightened
by the fact that political discourse is becoming stifled now in civil
society. I’m probably not alone in excessive
self-censorship as political opinions have become lightning rods which can
destroy relationships and create enemies.
Recently, I’ve found I’ve become reluctant to bring up anything
remotely political at meetings and social gatherings, and especially on social
media; it’s become too divisive and emotional.
My public words today are extremely guarded, even around those who likely
share my opinions. I don’t think this is
a good thing.
While many do express their opinions
in the open, it’s becoming a smaller minority.
Those who hold strong opinions are typically labeled by both sides. Even people with reasonable opinions on most
any political topics today seem to get lambasted from either side of the
political spectrum. We’re becoming a society reluctant to speak
out. In some ways, a society of wimps.
Reasonable, civil, and intelligent people
today simply shut up in social settings when it comes to politics. Nobody wants to create a conflict today and
certainly doesn’t want to destroy relationships. I can’t imagine the tension people experience
daily in business settings where everyone has to guard their opinions. Political opinions can be career killers in
many institutions.
There are many factors which have
created this problem. The most obvious, is
the internet, where any and all opinions are holy writ, and incite people
without much effort. What began as a
great communication device with potential and promise for bringing the world
together, has divided and separated people.
Our president hasn’t done much to quell this problem with his social
media omnipresence and inciting rhetoric.
Our mainstream media has sunk to an all-time low in trust and credibility,
we simply don’t know who to believe any more on most anything.
On college campuses today there is a
movement to quell free speech. It’s part
of the doctrine of political correctness.
College used to be a place of openness and objectivity. Today, if someone with a contrasting opinion
shows up, they are shouted down and denied their free speech rights. Many colleges have become extremely selective
in who can and cannot speak.
The polarization of politics has
affected us socially which ought to scare the hell out of all of us. If we have become uncomfortable discussing
politics and policy, just what will the politicians get away with because we
don’t seem to care?
Has political correctness numbed and
lulled us into a state where we might slip into totalitarianism? It’s happened far too frequently in our world’s
history. Many times it began with
silence which became acceptance, then domination. It’s something we must seriously consider if
we remain silent.
Our nation was founded on
rebellion. In 1776 we cast off tyranny
in a grand manner. I find it cathartic
and humorous that a line in the drama/musical 1776 says it best. As members
of Congress debated and nit-picked the wording in the Declaration of
Independence, a frustrated John Adams firmly stood up and said “This is a revolution dammit! We have to offend someone!”
It’s not that we have lost any of our First Amendment rights, it’s the
fact that we no longer care to discuss or exercise them for fear of
retribution, rejection and social acceptance.
This is a sad moment in our collective psyche when we become afraid to
speak about matters important to our nation.
Benjamin Franklin said it well, “Without
freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom - and no such thing as
public liberty without freedom of speech.”
Let’s hope we don’t lull ourselves into complacency and domination
because we might offend someone if we express our opinions.
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