Is our common sense of decency dead? Today in America, it certainly can feel that way.
Deportations of two-year-old children. Food bank funding cuts that leave thousands hungry. Culture wars that envelop city council and school board meetings. The continued coarsening of our daily interactions, even among family and close friends.
Indecency abounds. Are we really okay with where we are headed as a country—as people?
It would be easy to use this topic to stake out a political position or call out a particular leader. But I believe the notion of decency implicates all of us. We all play a role here; we are all needed. We simply cannot move forward together if we continue to sacrifice, set aside, or trample on decency. All we’re left with is a slow demise into the abyss of manipulation, duplicity, and haranguing—even different strains of evil.
Decency is a universal value for a reason. Take any major world religion. Christianity says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Islam notes, “None of you believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” Judaism asserts, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.”
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Not religiously inclined? Consider the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights, which opens by saying, “Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.” Or consider our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, which gets at the same essential truth when it proclaims, “All men are created equal.”
Let’s be clear. When I talk of decency, I am not referring to mere civility, politeness, or political correctness. Major religions have something different—indeed, something deeper—in mind. So, too, our founding document.
Civility is about manners. About upholding decorum. About using certain language so as not to offend. But decency deals with how we exist in community together and what the implications are for living in a shared society. Where civility often settles for inoffensive talk, decency demands behavior that demonstrates the innate humanity of our fellow Americans. It comes from a belief in the innate goodness of individuals and the intrinsic value of every individual.
I believe we face some fundamental choices. Will we commit to making decency non-negotiable in our daily interactions and efforts or not? Will we seek to uphold it in our political and civic culture or not?
I am not suggesting that you demonize others for being indecent or come out swinging against those who travel in indecency. We cannot root out indecency with more of the same. What I am asking is for you to step forward—in your social circles, your organization, your community—and exhibit decency through your very words and actions. Decency requires that we demand more of ourselves and more of others.
This means insisting that each of us will be seen and heard. That each of us will have our dignity upheld; this is non-negotiable. That no one will be left out or left behind. That empathy is valued and cruelty is rejected. That we will take care of one another, even amid our differences.
On these matters, we must draw a clear line and be consistent and resolute about what we are absolutely and unequivocally for.
Is decency dead? Not yet. But it must be revived, and each of us must step forward to do it. Starting now.
Rich Harwood is the president and founder of The Harwood Institute.
