Hang Your Hat: May 5, 2022

At last! A voice of sanity and compassion calling out the hate-promoting fear-mongering rhetoric of politicians who throw vulgar, unfounded cheap shots at their opponents. Whether it’s infamous national figures spewing lies like Margarey Taylor Green or US Senators calling each other and respected judges “pedophiles,” just to grab media attention, we’re being bombarded with baseless allegations and name calling that begs for immediate debunking—yet how to do that?

All too often victims of false and inflammatory attacks respond with civility, pointing out the falsehoods, but by then the damage is done, gullible voters believe the lies; more knowledgeable voters are disgusted and less likely to want to engage in politics, and belief in our government and political process is undermined. A brave senator from Michigan who recently was the victim of such abuse showed us a better way to respond. When her opponent false accused her of wanting to “groom” and “sexualize” kindergarteners and teach that “8-year-olds are responsible for slavery,” Ms Mallory McMorrow eloquently questioned the attackers’ baseless allegations and motivation beginning with these comments:

“I am a straight, white, Christian, married, suburban mom who know that the very notion that learning about slavery or redlining or systemic racism somehow means that children are being taught to feel bad or hate themselves because they are white is absolute nonsense.”

After pointing out the attackers’ baseless allegations, Ms McMorrow concludes by giving us all a challenge: “… Call me whatever you want. I know who I am. I know what faith and service mean, and what it calls for in this moment. We will not let hate win.”

When fanatics fling toxic waste, we all need to question the attention-grabbing lies and deceptive assumptions. Ask yourself where is the proof for such a claim (& it shouldn’t just that a biased news outlet, eager to get your attention, and repeats baseless accusations.) Let liars know you won’t vote for someone who uses such tactics. Look for candidates who discuss the many real issues facing this country, instead of giving any credence to those who resort to name calling and emotional bullying. That is indeed how we can “Stop the Hate.”

Joan Davis
Huntley Resident

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