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I do not often write opinion pieces when it comes to Live Springdale. I
try to stick to current events, new businesses and things that pertain to
our everyday lives here around town. Over the last 6 years we have
seen some great things happen in this town. We have been able to
build a community of over 40,000 people in the Live Springdale family
and seen so many positives come from the gathering of people here.
Now we face something like most of us have never seen in our lifetime. A foe we are unable defeat with weapons, money, fists or even a vaccine up unto this point. Covid-19 has affected our community from top to bottom. I know people in some of our richest neighborhoods and some of our lowest income housing who have contracted the virus in the last 4 months. We have seen families struggle to maintain some semblance of regularity in their everyday lives. This pandemic has created what for many feels like the movie Groundhog Day.
Our children were displaced from their schools. Taken from an environment where they are loved by their teachers and where they grow in social skills by spending time with their friends. Many of our businesses were forced to close or cut back drastically. Business owners have pivoted to try and keep their doors open. This caused many of us to lose our jobs and the livelihood that provided for our families. We were robbed of our church services to fellowship with others. Our entertainment was taken from us as concerts, plays, sporting events, festivals and get-togethers as a whole were cancelled across the board. We are living in unprecedented times.
We are constantly force-fed data about new Covid-19 cases. How many people have been hospitalized and how many have passed away. Articles and news stories come out hot with new numbers or scientific opinions only to change what they have told us a week later. It has led to such mass confusion, unrest and in all honestly a total lack of incivility among people, many of which are friends.
I have seen so much vitriol, ugliness and downright hatred when it comes to the topic of masks. One group is convinced the masks will work and prevent the spread. The other side believes they are ineffective and refuses to wear them. One group believes it is about the greater good and the health of the community. The other side believes it is about personal freedom and the right to choose whether or not to wear a mask. People I personally know who are otherwise friends have been so awful to each other regarding this topic.
Civil discussions have gone the way of the dodo bird. A simple comment on either side can lead to the opposition attacking them and berating them over a few disagreeable words. As we wind down this week, I would ask one simple thing. Choose to be civil. Have a discussion without the use of personal attacks or hateful words. We must find a way to navigate this very temporary, but incredibly stressful time in American history and calling someone a "mask Nazi" or telling someone to "wear the damn mask" is not going to change their position. It only stands to further galvanize them and to cause the possibility of any discussion leading to improvement to be lost. Enjoy your weekend. Smile at someone today. Hold the door open for them. Buy someone's meal behind you in line. We must get back to being friends and neighbors and find the things that unite us instead of looking for the few small things that divide us. I will try to do better; I hope you will too.
Now we face something like most of us have never seen in our lifetime. A foe we are unable defeat with weapons, money, fists or even a vaccine up unto this point. Covid-19 has affected our community from top to bottom. I know people in some of our richest neighborhoods and some of our lowest income housing who have contracted the virus in the last 4 months. We have seen families struggle to maintain some semblance of regularity in their everyday lives. This pandemic has created what for many feels like the movie Groundhog Day.
Our children were displaced from their schools. Taken from an environment where they are loved by their teachers and where they grow in social skills by spending time with their friends. Many of our businesses were forced to close or cut back drastically. Business owners have pivoted to try and keep their doors open. This caused many of us to lose our jobs and the livelihood that provided for our families. We were robbed of our church services to fellowship with others. Our entertainment was taken from us as concerts, plays, sporting events, festivals and get-togethers as a whole were cancelled across the board. We are living in unprecedented times.
We are constantly force-fed data about new Covid-19 cases. How many people have been hospitalized and how many have passed away. Articles and news stories come out hot with new numbers or scientific opinions only to change what they have told us a week later. It has led to such mass confusion, unrest and in all honestly a total lack of incivility among people, many of which are friends.
I have seen so much vitriol, ugliness and downright hatred when it comes to the topic of masks. One group is convinced the masks will work and prevent the spread. The other side believes they are ineffective and refuses to wear them. One group believes it is about the greater good and the health of the community. The other side believes it is about personal freedom and the right to choose whether or not to wear a mask. People I personally know who are otherwise friends have been so awful to each other regarding this topic.
Civil discussions have gone the way of the dodo bird. A simple comment on either side can lead to the opposition attacking them and berating them over a few disagreeable words. As we wind down this week, I would ask one simple thing. Choose to be civil. Have a discussion without the use of personal attacks or hateful words. We must find a way to navigate this very temporary, but incredibly stressful time in American history and calling someone a "mask Nazi" or telling someone to "wear the damn mask" is not going to change their position. It only stands to further galvanize them and to cause the possibility of any discussion leading to improvement to be lost. Enjoy your weekend. Smile at someone today. Hold the door open for them. Buy someone's meal behind you in line. We must get back to being friends and neighbors and find the things that unite us instead of looking for the few small things that divide us. I will try to do better; I hope you will too.
The Virus, The Mask, And The Lost Art Of Civility;
Choose Kindness And Find Common Ground
Choose Kindness And Find Common Ground