Salena Zito: Stories of Dignity and Grace Are Everywhere; We Need to Tell Them More

BEDFORD, Pennsylvania – In the lobby of the Bedford Springs Hotel in Pennsylvania, I met Christopher Ege, JoAnn Harrison, and her husband, Dan. They didn’t know each other before that day, but their conversation about their trips to Kentucky, the Bourbon Trail, and bourbons soon turned to politics. Surprisingly, even though the Harrisons’ views were clearly progressive and Ege was solidly conservative, they kept on laughing, discussing their differences with grace and humor. They did not let politics complicate their kindness and respect towards each other.

We, as a society, are led to believe that people with different political views from our own are ‘evil’ or ‘stupid’. Traditional news coverage, social media, athletes, influencers, and entertainers, all encourage us to see those who think differently from us in a negative light. This long-standing problem in American politics is now more evident than ever before due to technology, media, and communication.

But the reality is that we, the people, want something different. Even when our beliefs contrast, most Americans strive towards enriching interactions with each other. We aspire towards hope and aim to create an environment for positive social connections.

During my travels around the country, I have seen countless examples of people like Christopher, JoAnn, and Dan, who are respectful towards each other despite their differing viewpoints. They understand that there is dignity in treating others with grace, and this helps them create an environment of positivity and respect.

It’s essential that we focus on sharing stories of dignity and grace because these kinds of narratives will become an enjoyable part of our daily lives. So let’s bring back the art of civil conversation and remind ourselves to treat people with kindness and respect even if we disagree with them on some topics.

Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst as well as a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner who engages with the everyman and everywoman through her journalism. Please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com to find out more about Salena and her columns.