You must understand and appreciate the current state of political discourse, or therefore lack of any. There are plenty of influential, who’s sphere of influence reaches millions of people, despite this platform they often resort to petty insults and rhetoric. This is a troubling virus, that has infected that worlds most powerful people. This virus has infected our hearts and minds, preventing us from engaging in polite and meaningful discourse. As the virus spreads, we become numb to our own cognitive dissonance and our ability to think critically is diminished to nothing. So it becomes obvious, when you consider that those with the loudest voice have the most influence, that both sides of the fence seem quick to rise to anger and violence.
So comes the march of the right in Charlottesville, the protest-cum-riot that engulfed a small town. This march symbolised an attack on the liberty and freedom which America represents, revered as such across the world. The march revolved around a statue of Robert E. Lee, Confederate General and a reminder to many of the cruelty that surrounded the birth of the nation. But, to the tiki-torch wielding far-right, the news that this statue was to be demolished was a call to arms. Although you may disagree, the removal of this status was an attack on the first amendment. This statue is a message that tells the story of the American Civil war; with every evil and triumph that it represented. Without that statue you remove a part of history and the story it represents.
Of course there are two sides to every story, but there is one that unites them all. To start with the right, the KKK and the card-carrying members of the American Nazi party. They, had every right to march on that day and to wield their flags and shout their chants. Their history is written in that statue, because history is exactly what you make of it. Your interpretations, thoughts and feelings are for you and who ever wishes to listen. Because, even though the chants of “Jews will not replace us” and “blood and soil” are hard to ignore, it is your choice to listen. But this is their story, a story they have every right to tell. The left on the other hand, came to express their views and shout as loudly as those on the other side. The message they were sending was that this statue, which to them was a symbol of oppression and the slave trade, should be removed. Yet, when it came down to it, both sides resorted to violence. Both their messages silenced by blood being shed and the fatality of a young woman.
But what are these statues good for? A symbol to be piggybacked on the curtails of swastikas? Or an allegory for the hate and bigotry which has consumed a country? I say it’s up to you, because it only means whatever your heart and mind says it should mean. For a history teacher, it means a lesson on the civil war and its violence and death. For the aspirational grand wizard, a monument to a great man who lived and died for his beliefs. For the socialist, the symbol of hate that fuels your fight for a more equal society. But heed this warning, these extreme views can lead quickly to violence, a lesson that should be learnt from the last few weeks, to know that as soon as blood is shed you lost the debate, you may gain the hearts of your compatriots but you lose the minds of those you are trying to influence.
So a lesson to both sides, as the protests inevitably continue. There are only two ways to handle the your discourse. First on the streets, where discourse is difficult, treat the other party to ridicule. This can take two forms, to point and laugh at them or to ignore them completely and ensure they know no one is listening. Second in the public forum, speak calmly and eloquently, to not be quick to anger and no matter how ridiculous the others words may be, treat them with the respect and courtesy you would treat your mother.
I leave you with a likely misattributed quote, maybe from a public address in 1933 by Franklin D. Roosevelt:
“Let us ensure that the lessons of today dictate the direction of our tomorrows”
By,
Alec
