Some people have always been
rude and crude, but their behavior has become more widespread during recent years.
Encouraged by the disgusting, cruel comments of Donald Trump during the recent presidential
campaign, those who might once have held their tongues unleashed online garbage
that was simply sickening. President and
Mrs. Obama were particularly targeted; it’s hard to understand how they managed
to take the high road instead of responding in kind.
This is not entirely a new
phenomenon, of course. Even during Thomas Jefferson’s time, political attacks
were sordid, and politicians have been abused to some extent ever since. In
general, though, people have maintained at least a veneer of politeness. That
changed during the sixties, when many of us freed ourselves from a too-strict
upbringing. In some respects that was a much-needed correction, but we also learned
to use obscene language in inappropriate
environments, to tear down those who disagreed with us, to “let it all hang out“a bit too far. Comedy, for example,
has degenerated greatly. Stand-up comics who use little humor but much gutter
talk are admiringly described as “edgy.”
It has happened at some surprising
levels. For instance, the editors’ online discussion group I belong to has
usually held to a high standard, with only the occasional genteel disagreement
about the serial comma, proper use of the subjunctive, or other editorial concerns.
Even there, I have noticed a shift in behavior. When I recently posted a simple
question about “an historic” vs. “a historic,” the answers quickly degenerated
into snide comments about undereducated high school English teachers, regional
pronunciations, and other ad hominen attacks.
I was both amused and appalled.
I fear there is no going back.
When anonymous comments can be left on social media sites, when Muslims are
openly disparaged, and when vulnerable teens can be made suicidal by online
criticism, there may be nothing to brake the sickening remarks that are common
now. It may be possible for Congress and voters to rein in Trump during the
next few years, but his boorish behavior has infected a great many people and
added to the general decline in civility.
There are some glimmers of light
in this dark cesspool. On New Year’s Eve I happened to hear a dialogue on an
NPR station. A white nationalist and a proud black man—both intelligent and
articulate-- were having a calm talk about their enormous differences. Though
at opposite ends of the political spectrum, they spoke respectfully and
confined their statements to the issues. Perhaps their civil behavior, too, can
be contagious.
Copyright © 2017 by Carol Leth
Stone
