Political violence is on the rise. It’s up to us to cool the rhetoric

Why can’t we all just get along? This country is subjected to enough political violence every year to make any sane nation reach a breaking point. We can’t stand idly by as killings and terror become normal in America. Each and every one of us should be doing something to bring Americans together as fellow Americans.

It is so easy to become caught up in the us versus them, Republican versus Democrat, left versus right, liberal versus conservative mindset. Advertisements that fill our television screens and mailboxes all claim that candidates and parties are “fighting” for you or “fighting” for certain priorities.

At some point, politics became less about who would be a good candidate to fairly represent the beliefs of their constituents and more about who is the lesser of two evils. The truth is that candidates for public office are rarely evil and nearly always just humans who have been called to public service in a very hostile and divided time in our nation.

No one has all the answers on how we can fix violent rhetoric, but it is obvious to me that each of us must start with our own reactions. We must hold ourselves and our elected officials accountable when it comes to using divisive and violent rhetoric.

That is especially true on social media, where it is so easy to for anyone and everyone to react immediately and often without enough forethought and judgment. It is easy to hide behind a fake or private social media account and say things you wouldn’t normally say if you were speaking to someone person.

Social media has become unbelievably powerful because it works. It impacts others. Words typed out of hate, desperation, or sadness can easily be picked up and shared thousands of times online. Even if an account is private, it’s easy to copy and paste posts until they are shared a million times or more. There’s a reason we say it’s “gone viral.” The question is — is that virus making things better or worse? Is it intended to inform and create positive change or is it designed to incite the hatred and violence that is threatening our very existence as a community, state, country, or nation?

When writing these social media posts, it’s important to remember that we are talking to real people, about other real people and about emotional issues that have real impacts on people’s lives.

I ask myself: “Would you print that thought in your local newspaper with your name next to it? If not, don’t put it online. Share it with your best friend instead.”

In fact, let’s all make an effort to do more by talking to friends, family, and neighbors about the issues that are important to us. One of the reasons divisive online rhetoric has become more acceptable is because we have stopped talking to people who disagree. Let’s all work on our ability to listen and to be curious about someone else’s opinion.

Seek first to understand before seeking to be understood. Never use language that promotes political violence, and tell others that type of language is not acceptable. We can hold elected officials accountable in so many ways that are so much more effective than violent talk or action.

Most elected officials have websites that include their contact information. Call their offices, send them an email, or a handwritten letter that details your concerns. Contact your county political parties, join a protest, or show up to local political events and make your voice heard. Visit iwillvote.com and make a plan to vote on Election Day.

Don’t let yourself fall into that ‘us versus them’ trap, and remember we aren’t at war with ‘the other side.’ We are all trying to make a safer and more prosperous nation for our children and our grandchildren.

The best patriotic and most American way we can build a better country is by negotiating, compromising when it makes sense, and standing up for our values and beliefs through the rights given to us by the Constitution.

Rita Hart chairs the Iowa Democratic Party.