In light of recent events some may believe this is a bleak time for the nation, and possibly for democracy. But no matter what someone thinks of the political or national atmosphere, this should not be seen as a bleak time for the human race. Violence and hatred have existed as long as people have, but they do not need to fester and infect the mind.
Case in point, on Nov. 28 a third-year student at the Ohio State University, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, injured 11 people by driving his car into a group of students. Artan, who came to Ohio from Somalia, proceeded to stab those students with a knife before he was killed by police officer Alan Horujko. With such recent events, it is easy to point fingers at the left side of the political spectrum for enabling such behavior. Meanwhile, the left can easily blame members of the right for pushing the attacker to his breaking point.
No one will know what the attacker’s true motives were, but as of Nov. 30 the Islamic state, known as ISIS, has claimed that Artan was a “soldier of the Islamic State.” Many community members have different ideas on how to fight the Islamic state, but hatred, rioting, and overall civil disobedience will never result in a positive outcome.
In order to make a difference, it must begin on a local level, and it starts with treating people with respect. Mutual respect is a driving force behind change for anything. This does not mean disagreements are bad, or that controversy should be avoided. This is a time when new ideas and new arguments are needed most.
Disagreements should be the building blocks of compromise and achievement. When healthy discussion, valid facts and moral responsibility are used to construct an argument, it can changes people’s thinking. It has the potential to lead to actual change and forward momentum.
Instead of shutting down arguments and being personally offended by criticism, it is important to look at all sides and try to understand one’s own opposition. If a valid compromise cannot be made, it’s most useful to take the high road. Focus on a new problem that needs to be fixed, instead of focusing on the old problem and letting the hatred fester where only a subtle disagreement existed before.
No matter how bad things may get, members of a community must respect each other and not blame terrible public events on one person or group of people. The political world should not alter a person’s opinion of the great people in their community, or of the great people they may meet someday,.
Be kind, be respectful, be informed and always be a driving force for change