A Letter About Our Letters

To the Editor:

Lately, when I open The Fayette Country Record, our little local paper of note, I am struck by a strange disconnect between the different sections. While the paper’s front pages and community sections bring the local news, rules and views, no sooner do I open the Opinion and the Letters to the Editor pages that a starkly different picture emerges. In particular, the impression left by that last section is often one of deep divides between bitterly opposed political camps. Be it through dire, often acrimonious, criticism of the way the federal administration is handling the COVID-19 crisis or the equally urgent, often antagonistic, criticism heaped upon the criticizers. And whereas differences of opinions are to be expected from across the political spectrum, the back and forth arguments - laid out week to week - seem to take place in an atmosphere dripping with rancor, often tinged with mutually contemptuous tones. Which can be rather disturbing to witness. And not just with regard to COVID-19.

I doubt I am the only one to so react either, as surely many have found the disconnect between the laudable and informative coverage of local responses to the current challenge and the negativity that pervades the Opinion pages, somewhat disconcerting. All the more so as the obvious bias and animus that is so vigorously expressed, makes it impossible to separate even the most well-presented facts and analysis from the ideology of the presenter. The acrimonious divide is almost a direct polar opposite from the positive tone set by the more informative, locally oriented news and community sections which, these days at least, leave the impression of a small but mighty county pulling together, as its residents face the challenges of living in the shadow of the coronavirus

It is clear from reading the letters - and some of the opinions - that many writers are interpreting this crisis through a deeply etched political lens. Partisan divisions color every action/inaction, proposed/enacted bill, direct/indirect policy recommendation that comes down from DC, be it from the present administration or the divided congress, all are filtered through that red vs blue lens. With both national and state responses garnering support or derision, depending on what side of the political fence the writer stands, each completely convinced that truth, salvation and high moral ground are entirely and exclusively on their side.

At times it even seems as if the local scene has been invaded by an alien poison that has sipped into the newspaper’s generally optimistic, well-meaning and mostly helpful coverage; a poison that reflects the toxicity of the national discourse, rather than anything grown and nurtured in these parts. If one were to just read those pages, it’d be tempting to conclude that the American people, down to the smallest localities, really are divided into two camps that absolutely loathe each other, each caught in some parallel reality, speaking only from inside its own echo chamber.

Yet, even as this specter of two bitterly opposed camps, glaring at each other from across the deep fissure that now separates America’s two predominant parties, would seem to preclude any ‘meeting of the middle ground,’ the rest of the paper with its informative reports and lovely historic missives and personal commentaries, portrays a universe where “we are all in it together.” So, which aspect is true?

Chances are that most people, and indeed nearly all the ones I meet and talk to, are generally copping the attitude that we are indeed in the same boat, whoever we are and whatever our circumstances. They commiserate about the toll socially distancing is taking on everyone’s mood, they ruminate about this or that difficulty they face and nearly everyone, of every circumstance is facing difficulties), they voice concern about the economy, the lost jobs, the closed shops, they share tips on where that last roll of toilet paper can be had, and just how attractive the latest trend in mask wearing is. While anxious, none I know seem particularly eager to pick a fight or get into a debate, even when they may disagree with a course of action, by, say, the Texas governor or the local judge or by the country’s current president. Indeed, I find it remarkable how nimble people are in avoiding overly sharp exchanges of politically tinged views, even – or especially when they know that, at least on this level, I be on the other side of them. And it is these local people who are the ones who may eagerly read the latest news about additional cases diagnosed or new rules imposed - or relaxed - and who are, of course, more than a little concerned about the hit to the local economy which is likely to be substantial.

I do suspect that there are relatively few who actually hold opinions so strongly, and/or are so distressed by the national, party enmity defined, political climate, that they feel compelled take the time and put in the effort to write and share those opinions. The fact that the same names pop up underneath the letters often enough to be recognized, would seem to support this view. Still, it is jarring to see just how far apart the two camps have become and how seemingly unbridgeable their views are. The Republican universe suspecting that Democrat governors are more reluctant to reopen the economy because they’d rather see that economy crush so the president they loath will take a hit. By the same token the Democrat will dismiss any action taken by either the national administration or a red state governor seeking to lighten the load on the economy as callous and uncaring towards potential victims. Both interpret every action taken by a wrong-color state governor as something nefarious, motivated more by cynical political considerations than sensibility.

Having said that I would not ask for fewer such letters or blander opinions. Writing to the local paper is a safety valve for many, and frankly we need to know that we don’t live in a blissful bubble. But I would ask the readers of those opinions and those letters (and I avoid specifics.) that they use their own common sense, recognize the bias and move on, not too angrily (if a bit sadly, if they disagree). It would be nice if more tried their own hand at writing a letter praising this or that action by one of our local people who are on the front line, display great resilience or make some other interesting observation that’d be of interest to the readers. Or even just comment, as I just did, on the merits of trying to see the whole that still exists beyond its warring parts

An aside: this was all said by a deeply political person with rather strong opinions on most, if not all matters. Still, even I recognize that sometimes, it’s not about the strength of our political leanings, such as they may be. Sometimes it’s about giving it a rest. Each of us is just one person, who can be affected by or fall victim to any number of grievous circumstances that are outside our control. The politically sophisticated as well as the politically pedestrian. The red or the blue universe dweller. At the end of the day we are all mortal, and sometimes we should bear that in mind and exercise a certain humility, especially in the face of calamities that are larger than each of us and certainly larger than our opinions. Personally, I would like to see a bit of that humility sipping in even among those who partake most strongly the righteousness of their own views. Which advise is directed towards yours truly as well.

Hanna Hoffman

Fayetteville