So many letters lately that are just rants about politics and the responses via them online are really full of anger.
Remember the time when you didn't base all your assumptions on one's political views?
Remember a time when we actually liked our neighbors for just keeping a nice yard, or saying hello when you saw each other? Sometimes we had dinner or a barbecue in the summer.
Remember when someone wore a red hat and you didn't automatically think they were an unreasonable person?
Remember when caring about the environment was just normal?
Remember when we didn't just have interactions with others without insults?
I certainly do. We need to put these dividing things in a smaller pocket. They are important, especially now, but we are driven to jump and react versus have empathy and compassion for those around us.
The reason: the media wants your clicks. Especially social media. We are fed a constant barrage of negative stories to outrage us. We are getting more and more into echo chambers and not seeing each other for our qualities.
l, for, one am trying to change the way I talk to people. To not jump to conclusions and to hopefully like our neighbors again.
I am way more than my politics. I love gardens, birds, animals, travel, good laughs, cribbage, good food, the night sky and being a good steward to my community. I know you have qualities, too.
I know people will find this “funny” or call me some kind of libtard, but think about that before you react. Let's take the power back from the media and just be kind to each other. Life is short. We as a community can choose kindness.
GM Thornton
Centralia
