Donald Trump is our President-elect. After a very long Presidential race he is the victor. Now is our moment as citizens of the United States to stand for values that cross party lines.
These values do not belong to one political affiliation or another, but to human “dignification”. These are values that cannot be owned by one party, nor can they be disowned by another party. These are the values of our citizenry that make America truly great.
Respect
We have the freedom and privilege to disagree with each other without fear of reprisal. In that freedom we also have a responsibility to disagree with respect, in both language and behavior, toward one another.
In America we have no room or place for demeaning another person. We hold each other as a valued human being.
Tolerance
We are a country built upon the principle of equality for all. We believe in protecting the freedoms of everyone in America regardless of the color of our skin, or the religion we practice, or the person we choose to love.
In America, we stand up for other people. Believing no one should be bullied or discriminated against, is our human responsibility.
Cooperation
We work together to get things done and accomplish goals that make life better for all of us. We have a system of government that works well when we build from our common ground.
In America our common ground exists in ensuring equal opportunity and treatment for everyone living here.
Kindness and Compassion
We are a people who help to end suffering all over the world, coming to the aid of those in need. We use our power, influence, and money to bring food, water, and shelter to those displaced by disaster. Let’s remember to show and extend this same level of kindness and compassion to one another here at home.
In America we are great because we care about our family, our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues, and our communities. We care about each other as people first.
Our election results have revealed a great pain in America. We have an opportunity to help stop the suffering of others. Whether it is along class lines, religious affiliations, race, or sexual orientations, we can help heal the present wounds. Let us choose to use words when we speak that encourage and uplift. Let us take actions toward one another that say, “I care about you.”
Need a place to start? Begin in your social media accounts. Before you hit send, ask yourself if what you are posting builds-up or destroys another. Are you embracing the values we must have to create a healed nation, a nation of people respected of their individual rights? Or are you creating more wounds, drawing more blood?
We have a lot of work to do in America to make our country what it was intended to be. This election cycle clearly revealed many problems we must tackle. Our solutions can be found when each of us own and commit ourselves to the values of respect, tolerance, cooperation, and kindness.
These are the tools necessary to build corridors that will connect us, not walls that continue to divide us, as we move forward as one nation, undivided.
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Photo: Getty Images
Sounds great in theory but it’s not practices as evidenced by some of the articles here at GMP. I appreciate your efforts as well as GMP’s momentary attempt to smooth things over and move on but as you can see via various news outlets, it’s nowhere near being practiced much less considered.
Seems like more of us need to keep pressing the point Tom. I am commenting on fb memes that I believe only create division, and reminding the person posting how important it is for us to heal and find our way back to unity. Respect for one another, while we disagree, has to be exercised. I’m committed to that. Thanks for your comment.
Speaking of the lack of civility, please read this article by David French, who is a leading contributor to National Review.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/441319/donald-trump-alt-right-internet-abuse-never-trump-movement
I read it Bill. Definitely abhorrent behavior. Where I believe I, and others who share a commitment to equality, tolerance, and respect of others, can make a difference is in our own sphere of influence within our families, at work, on social media…by asking people to explain their language or behavior that suggests they do not embrace equality, lack tolerance, and/or are disrespectful of others. I’m getting to old to give ignorant behavior a pass any longer. Thanks for your comment and the link.
It takes a new low to put the image of a child in a gas chamber.