Last night Chuck Todd moderated a debate between candidates for Governor of North Carolina. He set a positive tone for the evening, reminding viewers about the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Both candidates acknowledged the difficulties faced by so many citizens still without power, dealing with wind and water damage.
The debate was spirited but civil. Candidates and moderator conducted a professional discourse. It seemed that the people of North Carolina could stand together and support the election verdict after November 8.
I hope that the third Presidential Debate will offer a similar level of dialog. Long after the debate, supporters on both sides will have to repair the damage done by this political storm. Deplorable(s) will have to see the “others” as humans, not demons or aliens. Hispanic, African-American Blacks, Asians and Native Americans will need to heal from the wounds of racist rhetoric.
Muslims and Jews will need to reconcile with Christians. Evangelical church goers will have to consider the gentle rebuke of Born Again Christians. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/october-web-only/speak-truth-to-trump.html
The LGBTQ community will need to forget the righteous arrows aimed in their direction. People with disabilities will need to know that they are not mocked. Women will need the reassurance that most men do not condone sexual assault, even in locker room banter. Pro-life and pro-choice advocates will need to consider what it means to be human.
The “others” will need to see those labeled as deplorable in a different light. Those people are not all racist. Many of them were left behind by a changing economic environment. Factories in the rust belt, offices in blue chip companies like Kodak and Compaq, mills in the south, all shuttered their doors long before this election cycle. Most of these fellow citizens are not deplorable and they are not irredeemable.
Let’s hope that people can begin the healing process after the political storm waters recede. Just as we would risk life and limb to save our neighbors after the meteorological storm, let us begin to repair the damage to our brothers and sisters who need our support following the impact of an economic hurricane. Take time to tutor, help someone get a GED, there are so many ways to contribute. Community Colleges have a role to play, so too workforce redevelopment programs. Let’s make America great(er) again; we are stronger together.
The debate was spirited but civil. Candidates and moderator conducted a professional discourse. It seemed that the people of North Carolina could stand together and support the election verdict after November 8.
I hope that the third Presidential Debate will offer a similar level of dialog. Long after the debate, supporters on both sides will have to repair the damage done by this political storm. Deplorable(s) will have to see the “others” as humans, not demons or aliens. Hispanic, African-American Blacks, Asians and Native Americans will need to heal from the wounds of racist rhetoric.
Muslims and Jews will need to reconcile with Christians. Evangelical church goers will have to consider the gentle rebuke of Born Again Christians. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/october-web-only/speak-truth-to-trump.html
The LGBTQ community will need to forget the righteous arrows aimed in their direction. People with disabilities will need to know that they are not mocked. Women will need the reassurance that most men do not condone sexual assault, even in locker room banter. Pro-life and pro-choice advocates will need to consider what it means to be human.
The “others” will need to see those labeled as deplorable in a different light. Those people are not all racist. Many of them were left behind by a changing economic environment. Factories in the rust belt, offices in blue chip companies like Kodak and Compaq, mills in the south, all shuttered their doors long before this election cycle. Most of these fellow citizens are not deplorable and they are not irredeemable.
Let’s hope that people can begin the healing process after the political storm waters recede. Just as we would risk life and limb to save our neighbors after the meteorological storm, let us begin to repair the damage to our brothers and sisters who need our support following the impact of an economic hurricane. Take time to tutor, help someone get a GED, there are so many ways to contribute. Community Colleges have a role to play, so too workforce redevelopment programs. Let’s make America great(er) again; we are stronger together.
