The Case for Civil Dialogue

William Raspberry, award-winning columnist, passed away recently and I was privileged to read one of his last columns, pre-retirement, and though it was written in 2005, his words are so dead-on for today... basically, get over yourself and realize that other people are in the world, and are entitled to their opinions just as you are entitled to yours; and a truly civilized person knows how to agree to disagree without resorting to vitriolic and caustic comments.

Mr. Raspberry said that he found that he often agreed with both sides of an issue and thought that many other people did the same. For instance, he was both pro-life and pro-choice. Perhaps that very dichotomy causes such inner conflict in people, that rather than having a serious discussion with themselves (which is where their real problem lies) they focus outward and go on the attack against those who are against what the person is "supposed" to believe. I found that statement very interesting because just yesterday, when I read of a cop killer likely being sentenced to death, I was very, very glad. But. I generally consider the death penalty legalized murder. I actually stuttered in my steps as I walked across the floor when I realized that conflict. So, we must be wise enough to make situational decisions and not castigate someone else because their version of reality is different from ours.

Human beings are very complex. That's what makes us so very interesting, and the late Rodney King put it so simply and so eloquently when he asked, "Can't we all just get along?"