An infusion of civility for what ails us
I wrote this column one year ago this week and today realized that very little has changed in the past 12 months. I remain optimistic that the heart and soul of our communities is still there and will again emerge in a new dawning of civility. - KT
Today’s Main Street column is brought to you by the word vitriol, a noun that’s ironically the name for sulfuric acid, which burns through just about everything. When used to describe language so mean-spirited and bitter the words can eat through metal, it becomes particularly relevant these days.
I took this observation to my Facebook village of 3,596 friends, and not surprisingly there was overwhelming agreement that civilized dialogue is on the wane. Because it’s 2020 and for months in-person, face-to-face conversations have been limited, social media has become even more a part of our connection.
And yes, I’ve watched The Social Dilemma and post-COVID, if there ever is such a day, I’ll be re-evaluating my fondness for Facebook.
For the time being I’m liberally applying the “snooze” feature on my newsfeed, allowing me to put a 30-day pause to friends whose posts are relentlessly filled with vitriol.
The dozens of snoozees of late run the gamut of the political spectrum, an equal opportunity solution to limiting my newsfeed diet of screeds and name-calling. It’s been my observation that there’s a stunning lack of self-awareness by those who are relentless posters of vitriol. Some will read this and think I’m referring to the other guy/gal.
I have such respect for my village, who are for the most part people right here where we live. They are engaged doers of good deeds, creative, hardworking, single moms, patriarchs of large families, paycheck to paycheck salt of the earth people and business owners. This eclectic group has provided me with a grounding and connection this year when admittedly I’ve struggled more than ever.
But what I’m seeing and reading of late makes me realize that most of us are struggling with our humanity. I absolutely celebrate a passionate difference of opinion and perspective but not the hatefulness spewed by people I know for sure are not hateful people.
My suggestion is for everyone to read out loud the words you write before you hit the post button. Does it sound like anything you’d actually say to another person face-to-face, to a customer? If not, step away from the keyboard.
Only 100 more sleeps until Christmas Eve!
Happy Birthday today to Pat Near, Claudia Brennan, Brad Medlock, Jerry Deitz, Jean Wright, Shannon Englander, Kathie Colosimo, Angie Purcell, Liese Razzeto and Nick McDonald. Tomorrow Jeff Thompson, Courtney Hurt, James Hoialman, Charollett Morehouse and Terrie Lynn Gonzales celebrate.
Steve Widmyer, Betsy Martin, Jeff Crandall, Harmony Conley, Connie Evans, Russ Giles, Mary Riffe and Lynda Wright share Sept. 17 birthdays. Brad Peugh, Ellen Delavan, Jaimee Cox, Eric Benjamin, John Holm, Jennifer Schroeder and Debra Smart blow out the candles on Saturday. On Sunday Steve Eller, Rich Kempton, Kara Fredekind, Debbie Sala, Jeanne Wright, Brock Morrow, Marshall Baltzell and Karen Lindbergh do the birthday dance.
On Monday Julie Chadderdon, Hank Martin, John Stevens, Craig Brosenne, Haley Walker, Joe Roope and George Balling put on their party hats. Katherine Ekhoff, Stacy Hudson, Dina Hourland, Cliff Slaney and Haley Walker take another trip around the sun on Tuesday.
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.