We shouldn't be civil in 2018's America | The Odyssey Online
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.

148
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.
Adulting

The Struggles of Being A Last Semester Senior, As Told By Michael Scott

25 reasons your last semester in college is the best and worst time of your life

64
Michael Scott

The day you walked onto your school's campus for the first time you were scared, excited, and unsure of how the next four years of your life were going to turn out. You doubted it would go fast and even though you weren't positive about what your future plans would hold, you had plenty of time. You figured out your major, added a minor or two, joined a handful of organizations and all of the sudden you're here. Your final semester of undergrad. Now you've got 25 problems and graduation is only one.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Syllabus Week At UD Explained By "The Office"

"The Office" understands the struggle of the first week back from winter break.

111
the office

January 19th is the first day of the second semester at the University of Dayton, and students couldn't be more excited. However, the excitement that students are experiencing may be short-lived once they see what this semester's courses will entail. Although students will be happy to be back at Dayton, they may realize this semester will be more difficult than they predicted. Here are some things that happen during syllabus week explained by " The Office."

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Your Friend Group, As Told By Disney Princesses

Each Disney Princess has their own personality, and chances are you've got a friend in your group to match it.

818
Disney Princesses

The dynamics of any friend group are usually determined by the personalities which make it up. Chances are, while personalities may overlap, each person in your friend group holds his or her own place. It is the differences which bring the groups together and keep them functioning. No matter how functionally dysfunctional your friend group may be, if you're anything like me, you feel absolutely blessed to have found such a wonderful group of humans to call "your people." Here is what your friend group might look like if they were Disney princesses (and that wasn't just a thing you all pretended in your heads):

Keep Reading...Show less
dorm roon
Tumblr

College is a place where you spend four years exploring opportunities you never knew were there, creating the person you are, and making life-long friends. College is hard, but it is worth spending four years there. Just because college is difficult doesn't mean that it's not fun. There are plenty of great memories you can make during your four years if college. Here are ways college is designed to be the best four years of your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
college shirt

These individuals excel in their studies, fueled by both natural intelligence and hard work. From the ambitious Entrepreneur to the talented Theatre Person, each student on this list embodies a unique aspect of college life and showcases the diverse interests and passions found on campus.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments