Teresa Holland
As the holidays approach there seems to be a cacophony of clashing sounds. While holiday music plays in the background for shoppers, our televisions and social media sites play daily in our homes with images of angry shouts of hate.
I don’t usually write on anything political (my own rule). So, I will not write directly on politics as there’s enough of that already. However, I will share from my everyday perspective of what seems to be overall feelings that are being acted out in many places.
Looking back to 2020, it seemed we were more concerned as citizens with helping and cheering each other on during difficult times. I keep thinking back to the encouraging “Just Be Kind” signs that cropped up everywhere. There was an overall shared feeling of being in this together, looking out for one another, and more importantly showing compassion for each other as another human being just trying to do their best in a difficult situation. We saw uplifting messages on homemade signs in our yards, chalk drawings on our streets, sidewalks, and driveways. Messages for hope were being shared almost everywhere.
But in such a short time, it seems the tables have turned. Political messages, subtle and others more blatantly, seem to have invaded so many areas of our lives, resulting in some becoming intolerant or easily offended by just about everything. In this age of “cancel culture” some people have lost their livelihoods, friends, and even family members because of someone disagreeing with their beliefs. There are some who insist their view is the only way. Somewhere we have lost our willingness to respectfully agree to disagree.
One early subtle sign of intolerance is the simple act of wearing a mask. Understandably we were all sick of wearing masks at the end of COVID and the benefits of doing so remain controversial. But as a registered nurse now retired, I know that in my 30-plus years as a hospital nurse a mask not only many times protected my patients, but myself as well. Somehow, now a mask worn in public can bring looks of contempt from some, as it has become a political statement for them.
Regardless that the person is wearing it because of chemo from cancer treatments or some other condition that puts them or a family member at a greater health risk than the average person who might become sick. There is more intolerance than there ever seemed to be. This has brought more frequent exchanges of incivility from those with their own agendas who are easily offended by most anything.
As the holiday season comes, I look back to how far we have come to be at this current state of affairs. How did we get here? Where did all this hate come from? We are not born with hate. Hate is learned. What would happen if we were just respectful of one another and again… “Just Be Kind”? How many of us are still willing to spread this message in our homes, on our streets, in our communities, schools, college campuses, and wherever people come together? How do we turn this around?
I’m sorry if I disappointed you with the absence of my usual good humor, but this is not a laughing matter. I write this from my heart. No one knows the battles that others might be facing in their lives, so maybe we just extend some grace to one another and not be offended so easily.
As the holidays approach, I can’t help but hope for more. A hope that we will be ever more mindful to … “Just Be Kind to One Another.”
Teresa Holland is a guest columnist, writer, and retired advanced-practice registered nurse. Send comments to [email protected].
