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HungerNetOhio # 7.3: We needn't be Crude, Rude, and Lewd to be effective
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Guidelines for expressing disagreement |
I was hit in the face returning from visiting with legislators in Washington, DC amid the health care debate. No, unlike reported incidents around the Capitol and across the country that week, it was not by spit spewed in hot anger or a brick hurled in hatred. Rather, it was more indirectly by a searing question: how do we treat one another with greater respect and civility?
During my brief tour on “capitol hill,” along with enjoying mutually informative and congenial conversations with congressional staff, I was shocked by a deluge of unbridled bad behavior in those hallowed halls. A band of what I eventually alliterated as “crude, rude, and lewd” opponents of the health care bill seemingly had come to congress not so much to talk as “raise hell.” And if so, they largely lived up to their mission.
But arriving back in Columbus, I encountered a similar violation of public decency in an article published in a local university student newspaper entitled “Illegal immigrants: the true renewable energy.” Appearing at the time advocates for immigration reform were mobilizing in Washington, it was filled with hate speech about immigrants and, particularly, Mexicans. Although later scrutinized by school administrators and portrayed as satire going awry, its vile residue lingers for local Hispanics and advocates for immigration reform.
Then last week, joined by five members of a United Methodist Advocacy Task Force during my regular “Tuesday at the Statehouse,” I was reminded in our otherwise good natured conversations with legislators and staff about an undertow of condemnation for “the other party.” Although mild in degree compared those other blatant attacks, for at least for two members of our group, some views expressed and allowed--if not encouraged by me--were offensive.
Pondering the propensity for and exaggeration of partisanship these days, I dug up a statement--probably attributable to forgotten sources--I had written many years ago. With a twist of simple common sense, it resonates the Micah 6:8 passage about “loving kindness, doing justice, and walking humbly.” On Influencing Public Officials is an antidote, not only to overboard rancor but for injurious partisanship generally.
Refreshed a bit and forwarded to this group, it is included it here as one of a variety of alternative approaches for talking courteously and sensitively about our convictions with legislators and aides.
SHORT
CUT:
For
those who insist, "JUST TELL ME
WHAT TO
DO!"
In preparation for sharing our political passions and engaging public officials, let us be mindful of how we might come across. Aids below include the one inspired by Micah along with other more comprehensive, tested, and valued references on civility.
Settings of Dissent
Earlier this month I decided to include in a previously planned trip to the Washington-Baltimore area meetings with the Ohio congressional delegation. Although in previous years having taken time to visit a select few elected officials there, I committed two days to blitz every Ohioan in the House of Representatives and Senate.
Roaming the corridors of the three house and two senate buildings, however, I was continually distracted by caustic badgering in the hall and verbal steam seeping from closed doors emitted by self-identified “Tea Partiers.” Mostly young and unseasoned staff were being accosted by high pitched talking-points and in-your-face threats.
Yet I returned to Columbus feeling the investment of time and energy and money (all of which I was able to minimize by staying at a nearby “youth” hostel) were well worth it. I felt my major reasons for going were achieved--introducing them to our mission/hunger-related priorities and establishing the possibility for ongoing linkage with actual people in each congressional office.
But the larger meaning of those two days came became apparent on my trip home as I listen to radio coverage of rhetoric leading up to that Sunday House Vote. I had not been emotionally prepared at the time to witness first hand an army of my fellow citizens bombarding those halls of congress with venom and disrespect. I was shocked and saddened afterward to hear about even more outrageous and out-of-bounds treatment of public officials and anyone else who disagreed with them.
Name-calling and much more
Most of us are probably all aware by now of the captions:
o “Kill the bill”
o “Reload”
o “Armageddon” and “Hell no, you can't!”
o A “baby killer”
o “Defeat the bastards…wipe them out…chase them out of town”
The torrent of antagonism included racial and homophobic epithets along with spitting on a congressman. The four House member hit with vandalism and death threats stretching from Arizona to Kansas to upstate New York were among 20 political targets in the rifle crosshairs on a map of one outspoken critic's Facebook page. This necessitated the FBI and the local police to get into the act to protect members of Congress and their families.
“Meanwhile, back at the ranch”
As for the local desecration of immigrants, it's not worth repeating. However, as a result of the intervention by advocates for immigration reform and university officials, some very positive action have begun with those involved and within the school.
But more than these incidents, we need to be shaken to the realization that, although notoriously coming from one extreme ideological wing this particular season, this kind of incivility is not confined to any one party, side, or philosophy of governance. It is questionable whether this current wave of ugliness is primarily even about health care, immigrants, or any du jour issue on the moment's menu. It seems more like free-floating fear and vitriol--whether based on race, class, or social-economic security--adopting a convenient cause.
During this Holy Week marred by Christian militia in our own State targeting police and religion-motivated suicide bombers in Russian subways, we are all called to ponder possibilities for more extreme violence seemingly accessible to--if not inherent in--our faith, politics, and relationships.
In my own case, the convergence of these incidents has moved me to take closer inventory of my own less obtrusive but potentially hurtful prejudices. As a result of what I've seen and heard, especially these past several weeks, I am recommitted to living up to higher standards for myself. Although not accommodating the “crude, rude, and lewd” in others (or myself), I've decided to try even harder to show unswerving respect for the opinions of those with whom I fervently disagree. I want to do better at distinguishing persons from their passions. I hope always to be conscious of the difference between opinions that fluctuate within and agitate among us and truth which, while we prefer to assume is ours, none can fully claim.
Alternative Approach
On Influencing Public Officials
“Seek Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly” (*)
How do we move forward to make a difference in the lives of hungry families?
Accurate Information
We must begin by seeking the truth--being conscientious and persistent in obtaining accurate information on the issues we intend to address. Rather than relying alone on personal or popular opinion, we must grasp the constantly changing facts about the human needs we advocate and public policies we want to impact.
Genuine Prayer and Reflection
Personal prayer is central. As people of faith, we are called to be mindful of those who hunger and are poor as well as our public officials and individuals and groups agreeing with or opposing our viewpoints. Prayer is important for our own clarity of thought, determination, and caring. In addition, Bible study, devotional exercises, and/or small group reflections cleanse our motivations and concentrate our approach.
Mutual Support
Companions sharing our cause help broaden and strengthen whatever we offer. We spread our impact through mobilizing our congregations and civic/social organizations, and coalescing with kindred individuals and groups. Ideally, we are also nurtured by friends and family.
Personal-Professional Integrity
Our effectiveness will be increased by ...
o Focusing on realistic expectations.
o Clearly understanding many-sided issues and competently (and fairly) expressing our convictions.
o Treating public officials and their staff and advocates-with respect whether or not we feel they have earned it.
o Being dependable and persistent.
Targeted Advocacy
Personal visits, calls, letters, or email (in that order of priority) to politicians are critical. And in all that we do--since our vision and energy may be short lived--we must act while our convictions are fresh and opportunities are ripe.
Hunger Network in Ohio
www.HungerNetOhio.org
614-424-6203
(*) Micah 6:8
Promoting Civility at Public Meetings: Concepts and Practice
http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/28016.Everyday%20Ethics%20AugOct03%28civility%29.pdf
THE NEED FOR CIVILITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT DIALOGUE:
http://www.njslom.org/need_for_civility.html
Civility By Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman:http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/government_ethics/introduction/civility.html
Accusations Fly Between Parties Over Threats and Vandalism
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/us/politics/26threat.html?ref=us
Democrats the targets after Health-care vote
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/03/23/copy/democrats-the-targets-after-health-care-vote.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
This ugliness isn't the American way
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100325/EDIT01/303260005/1192/EDIT/Editorial++This+ugliness+isn+t+the+American+way
Driehaus pitches new health law
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100329/NEWS0108/3300301/1055/NEWS/Driehaus+pitches+health+care+changes
Democrats who voted for health care reform get police protection as threats turn ugly by Kenneth R. Bazinet
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/03/25/2010-03-25_fear_for_their_health_dems_get_police_protection_as_threats_turn_ugly.html#ixzz0jhHvHMya
Immigration system's glaring flaws must be fixed
Monday, March 15, 2010 2:50 AM by Rich Nathan
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2010/03/15/immigration-systems-glaring-flaws-must-be-fixed.html
Helping illegals only hurts Americans
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2010/03/19/helping-illegals-only-hurts-americans.html?sid=101
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