Dear Editor,
When I was a Grade 11 student in civics class, I wrote a somewhat fiery (and juvenile) opinion piece about a local political figure. I read it to the class and was applauded by my fellow students. The reaction from my teacher was entirely different.
He walked from his desk to where I stood and held his hand out for my paper. He looked at it for a moment before speaking. “A well-written opinion piece may win others to your viewpoint,” he said. “But what you may not do, if you have integrity, is ridicule the person you write about, mock them, call them names or be disrespectful of them.”
I had done them all. As my face reddened, I wanted to sink into the floor. I’d been taught from early childhood to be respectful, and I’d betrayed my teachers.
It is in this spirit that I found the inclusion of Chris Nelson’s opinion piece in the Jan. 25 edition of the Western Wheel disappointing. I'm writing to say that we deserve better.
This open level of disrespect shown for our elected representatives has become widespread and alarming. We no longer tolerate bullies in our schoolyards, yet we indulge adults who bully and torment those who maintain the functioning governments in Canada, from our town councillors to the prime minister.
Why are people allowed to bully those we elect to public office under the guise of free speech? Free speech allows us to take issue with the policies and actions of a party or government. It does not extend to the right to belittle and demean others, be they a private citizen or politician.
Should Nelson assault a private citizen in a parking lot, with this language and attitude, someone would call the police on him, and rightly so. So where is the line drawn? Or are politicians, like women who wear short skirts, “just asking for it?” (That’s irony in case anyone misunderstands my intent.)
When we write, we have a responsibility. This intolerance for anyone who holds any opinion but our own is dangerous.
Deborah Greant
Diamond Valley
