We shouldn't be civil in 2018's America
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

A response to 'Respectful Disagreement'

We shouldn't care about civility or unity. We should care about what's right.

145
A response to 'Respectful Disagreement'
By Elvert Barnes via Wikimedia Commons

Recently, many conservatives and even some liberals have been calling for "civility" after protestors confronted DHS secretary Kirstjen Nielsen at a Mexican restaurant, and after White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders' removal from a restaurant in Virginia by its ownership.

Representative Maxine Waters was criticized for telling supporters, "And if you see anyone from [Trump's] Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere."

In light of Waters' instructions, Nancy Pelosi and Orrin Hatch have both, via Twitter, called for a return to "civility" and "unity", and many others have cried for the return of "respectful disagreement." To all of this, I say, well, something not very nice, which I will leave to your imagination.

I pride myself on being polite and respectful. But only to people who have my respect. As for Kirstjen Nielsen, who was instrumental in executing the policy which placed children in CAGES, she does not have my respect. Nor does Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who regularly deceives the American people to cover for the ultimate person whom I do not respect, Donald Trump. These people have committed some of the most heinous acts in American history, are responsible for America's descent into madness, and have caused America's tumble towards fascism. To hell with "civility".

I won't be civil. I won't be respectful. I won't stand idly by while America slips further and further into the abyss of hate and intolerance. Don't get me wrong--I completely disagree with anyone who advocates violence against these people. But exercising our first amendment rights against them? I can get behind that.

I won't cry for Nielsen or Sanders because they didn't get to eat a meal in peace. They've waived their right to peaceful dining experiences by instituting policies that rip apart families. In fact, they waived that right long ago when they accepted their jobs in the first place.

I won't "respectfully disagree" with those who advocate for TEARING FAMILIES APART. I won't "respectfully disagree" with HATE.

What Pelosi and Hatch need to understand is that this is not "politics as usual". This argument isn't between people who like red and people who like blue. This argument is between those who commit atrocities and those who refuse to stand for those atrocities. I prefer to align with the latter.

When the Nazis were gaining power in Germany in the 1930's, should those who disagreed have been civil? Should they have just played it off as if it were all normal? I think not. And today is eerily similar to 1930's Germany.

I don't dislike these people because they don't agree with me. I dislike them because they are hateful. I dislike them because they have turned the country I love into a breeding ground for hate and bigotry. I dislike them for their many lies. I dislike them for splitting apart families. For banning people from entering the country because of their religion or where they were born. For enabling literal Nazis to gain traction in our political system.

I'm white, so naturally I'll quote Martin Luther King here to conclude because that's what white people do when they want to sound woke: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Well, that day is now. And I'm judging Trump and his people by the content of their character. Because the content of their character isn't pretty.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
beer on the beach

Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

7 Reasons SoCal Rocks!

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

1649
woman in black and white long sleeve shirt carrying girl in red jacket in Venice beach
Photo by Jeff Hopper on Unsplash

SoCal summers are the best summers by far, and honestly, no argument is needed. But, if you aren't sure why SoCal summers are the best, here are 7 reasons why!

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

25 Lyrics for Selfie Captions

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

53879
woman takes a selfie for social media
Pixabay

Sometimes you can't think of the perfect caption for your Instagram post. I love using lyrics as my captions because there's so many great lines in songs that just seem to fit in the moment. Here are some lyrics that could work for your selfie or pictures of you with your friends!

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Bruce Springsteen's Top 7 Lyrics

Everything Bruce says in his classic rock songs.

20328
bruce springsteen album cover born in the usa

Anyone who was born and raised in New Jersey (or anywhere really) knows of Bruce Springsteen, whether or not they like him is a whole other situation. I hope that his hundreds of classic rock songs and famous high energy performances, even in his sixties he can put on better concerts than people half his age, are at least recognizable to people of all ages. Love him or hate him (I identify with the former) you have to admit that some of his songs and interviews have inspirational quotes and lyrics.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

New England Summers Are The BEST Summers

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

5740
Marconi Beach

Three years ago, I chose to attend college in Philadelphia, approximately 360 miles away from my small town in New Hampshire. I have learned many valuable lessons away from home, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Pennsylvania. One thing that my experience has taught me, however, is that it is absolutely impossible to beat a New England summer.

You cannot beat the beach. Believe it or not (which many people may not), New England has a long and beautiful coastline. Most of my high school summers were spent sitting on the Wall at Hampton Beach, getting sunburnt and eating Acai bowls from The Secret Spot. The Wall was the place to be both during the day and at night. We begin our days there with a KB's bagel and coffee, and end them with pizza and ice cream. It’s not a New England summer without that 4 p.m. text from someone, “Who wants to meet at the Wall tonight?” Nighttime is for Tripoli’s Pizza, the sound of waves, and wishes on shooting stars. Wednesday nights are especially important, as those are the nights that Hampton Beach sets off the weekly firework display.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments