Anger, Hate, Divisiveness and Vitriol

I think there is something wrong with the human ear – some of them, anyway. Lord Acton suggested that power corrupts but I rather think power interferes with the ears. Elitism in general, but elitism empowered in particular makes hearing a lost art.

To be fair, it isn’t just elitists. I have counseled numerous couples in their marriages and I have guided several boards through their decision making processes. I heard one spouse say calmly and sincerely, “You are right. I was wrong in that and I am sorry.” But all the other spouse heard was spit, spit, criticize attack. And when board members disagreed, I have gotten from both sides, instead of constructive words, complaints that the other side is being negative and obstructionist. To be sure, on a grander, national scale it is much worse.

People are concerned in this nation that all humane discourse has ceased, and in some ways they are correct, but it is not because people have ceased to try. It is, I believe, because the ears are clogged. I honestly feel that apart from a very few on the far left and far right, Americans are willing to reach out reasonably across the aisle, share their perspective and position and calmly discuss the issues. First, though, we have to fix the ears.

I think it depends in one part on how strongly we feel about our side of the issue, how important we believe it to be and how likely we are (the power part) to implement our point of view if we can just overcome the opposition. Thus, discussing the issue to find a reasonable solution takes a backseat to overcoming the opposition. In that case, we no longer hear the reasonableness of the words presented. We look only for mistakes and loopholes to overcome those words, and when we find none it often becomes spit, spit, criticize, attack for real.

When people on the right hear someone on the left express a legitimate concern about (for example) an environmental issue, the only thing the people on the right hear is loony, environmental whacko. Conversely, when people on the left hear someone on the right express a legitimate concern about (for example) immigration, the only thing the people on the left hear is divisive, hate-filled bigot. Neither characterization is correct. But how can I say what people will not hear?

I think this problem with the ears also depends in part on the discussions themselves. I know those on the left will find this hard to believe, but people on the right, including the infamous talk show hosts, present passionate (to be sure) but extremely reasonable and well thought out positions on the issues. Sadly, those on the left only seem to hear anger, hate and vitriol (spit, spit).

On the other side, people on the left tend to talk, not in reasonable arguments, but in conclusive statements, often assuming that any educated person has read the same books and studied the same reports they have – those books and reports where these arguments have all been dealt with in length. Sadly, all that people on the right hear is this lefty is an idiot with no reasonable argument to support their position and no leg to stand on.

To be fair, people on the right could read the books even if they are disagreeable from premise to conclusion. At least you will know where the other side is coming from. And people on the left could make more effort to frame their positions in a reasonable way, backing up the ideas with a few facts might not be a bad idea, and maybe stop treating conservatives like backward, ignorant rubes simply because they have not read (or not been convinced by) the same books you read in college.

I think a final part of this problem depends on how we view life, the universe and everything. The liberal worldview or mindset sees things one way, and though not all liberals think alike or see things exactly the same, the underlying foundation is equivalent Likewise, the conservative worldview or mindset may be equally equivalent though non-universal. Those foundations, the place where all discussions and arguments must begin, the place where all ideas originate and the foundation on which those ideas stand are obviously incompatible, liberal to conservative. What is true, and any psych 101 student can tell you this, is anything that challenges our foundational beliefs is seen as threatening.

If you believe that individuals are the problem, and especially individuals with power like private company executives or the rich, and that the collective (government) is the only fair and just way to keep such individuals in check, you will react vehemently if not violently against any words that threaten that way of thinking.

If, on the other hand, you believe that government is the problem, and especially when it caters to certain groups or attacks liberty with bureaucratic rules, regulations and punitive taxes, and that individuals by voice, vote and in exercising their liberties are the only way to keep government in check, you will react equally badly against any words that threaten that point of view.

Thus liberals claim conservatives hate all people (groups) who are not like them. Thus conservatives claim that liberals hate everyone (the whole nation). Thus liberals see conservatives as practical anarchists who don’t care if a few get rich and everyone else suffers. Thus conservatives see liberals as practical tyrants who don’t care if no one gets rich and everyone suffers. So it goes.

We don’t hear each other. And we won’t as long as we perceive the other side to be threatening our most deeply held and cherished beliefs about life, the universe and everything. And we won’t, as long as we are virtually speaking different languages: one presenting reasonable argument and the other presenting conclusions as if they are foregone conclusions. And we won’t, as long as our focus is not on what the other person is saying but on how we can overcome this opposition and accomplish our agenda.

Now, one final note would be this: this is not a new phenomenon. The Prophet Elijah had to run for his life when Queen Jezebel did not like what he was saying. She did not want to hear it! Likewise, Jeremiah was held in prison because the king said he always prophesized such negative, hateful things. Generally, people have never wanted to hear the other side of the story when it cuts to the core. King George and the British Parliament were offended and angered by what the Continental Congress had to say. And sometimes it comes to war.

I re-read the Barmen declaration not long ago, drafted in Nazi Germany by Barth and Bonheoffer (and others). Essentially, all it said was Jesus Christ is the Lord of all life. Adolf Hitler is not. Of course Barth was a neutral Swiss, but Bonheoffer was easy to throw in jail. He died in jail for his angry, hate-filled, divisive and vitriolic words………



-Michael The Fiction Side: The Storyteller http://mgkizzia.wordpress.com/ The Non-Fiction Side: Word & Spirit http://michaelkizzia.wordpress.com/