We Have No Choice: How We Can Do Better In The Aftermath Of Hate

Hey, World — Listen Up! Why Young People Are Voting

We Have No Choice: How We Can Do Better In The Aftermath Of Hate

“Who is wise? One who learns from every person. Who is strong? One who subdues one’s evil inclination. Who is rich? One who is happy with one’s lot. Who is to be honored? One how honors others.” – Pirket Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) 4:1

This passage is a bridge between our values and our experiences of daily life. And daily life, while it has always been painful, now seems to be an endless reminder of the worst humans can be. Rage-filled people within our own communities turn on us with hate and violence. Our leaders will not put aside their desire to “win” and best each other and by doing so sacrifice common good and decency.

Treating people with dignity is easy when things are good. When it really matters is when you are angry, when you feel justified to lash out, when you feel that you are defending someone you love. As this week’s acts of domestic terrorism affect so many and undermine our sense of safety, well-being, and belief in the common good, we know that we must speak truth to power and demand that our leaders act for the good of our communities and our country.

We will repair our communities. We will support each other who demand civil discourse and personal responsibility. We will support each other who speak against the incivility, inhumanity, and fear-mongering surrounding us. We will support each other to build communities of dignity where disagreement is welcome and mockery, deceit, and humiliation of others is rejected.

We have no choice.