“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”
~Audrey Hepburn~

This election season has given rise to language that has been especially vitriol. And I am not taking about the conversation between the candidates, but between groups of neighbors, colleagues, church members, friends, family and acquaintances.

The presidential candidates during the most recent debate noted the heated climate, each candidate arguing whether their leadership in their respective parties has been enough to bring about civil dialogue amongst their supporters. 

Yesterday, while eating my bagel at The St. Louis Bread Company, I overheard the conversation between two men. I won’t say who they are supporting for U.S president — that is beside the point I am making here –  but they called those who were against their chosen candidate racist and hate mongers. Since the country is nearly divided on the issues and presidential candidates, I wondered if these men realized that they just wrote-off nearly half the country which would, I am sure, include many of their neighbors.

If that is their world view, then the world must look pretty ugly to them.

An attitude of intolerance does color our world – does make one incapable of seeing the good and wonderful in people who hold different views.

I’ve been disheartened by the intolerance I see and feel, the unkind expressions by people on both sides of this presidencial election. I am especially concerned about what this means for living peacefully with each other during this time and after the election.

I don’t mean for this to be a downer post. I do have hope we can work towards healing, not just after the election, but now. I would be grateful for the media and religious and community leaders to share positive and hopeful stories of people who agree to disagree on the political hot-button issues without being disagreeable.

Can we find our models of tolerance in the midst of this election?

Would that be newsworthy?

I came across a quote (see beginning of this post) not by a theologian and not from scripture — though I could find many good ones — , but a beautiful woman, the late actress and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn. Her quote touched me, probably because at this time I feel too many people are far too willing to throw people out.

Painting of Audrey Hepburn is by Craig Sibley, my cousin.