The Oracle: Is Civil Discourse Dead?
The hardening of conversations between those interested in politics is creating an environment where it may become impossible to achieve anything; particularly LGBT equality.
The Glen Becks, Rush Limbaughs, and Dan Savages of the world are undermining the principles of civil discourse. In the press and the public square, civil discourse mandates respect for those who disagree with your point of view. You should not question the judgment of those who disagree, as well as avoid direct hostility and antagonism. That sure does not sound like the conversations that are occurring in Washington, on talk radio, cable television or within the LGBT movement.
Many in the LGBT political community have direct hostility and antagonism toward those who do not believe in our equality. Since we do not engage in civil discourse with our enemies, is it any surprise that we now do not have polite conversations about equality with ourselves?
The marriage issue and the prioritization of the LGBT agenda can elicit hateful remarks from many in our community. The result is a polarization of the efforts toward LGBT equality. Do we really need to belittle those who do not agree with us? Do we need to tear down organizations that are leading the fight for LGBT equality because we do not agree with their whole agenda? Clearly, the answer is no. Yet, within the San Diego LGBT community and beyond, these actions happen every day.
We cannot effectively move forward if we cannot begin to talk with one another without caustic rhetoric that alienates us from ourselves. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X disagreed about tactics for black civil rights, but respected each other’s right to pursue their chosen strategy. Perhaps Washington, the movement and the San Diego LGBT community should take a page from their book.
