Society’s Need for Compassion

While summer is close to its conclusion, I can’t leave it behind without recalling the remark I heard at a late June high school graduation. I can’t quote it word for word. The speaker called for compassion towards others “since you don’t know what invisible battles they are fighting.”

Truer words were never spoken. Especially after the vitriol unleashed in early July after flash flooding in central Texas killed more than 100 people and caused some $20 billion in damage.

A speaker I caught on a friend’s Facebook page recorded a message in which he rebuked the critics piling on the state for poor advance warning, lack of coordination with the National Weather Service, and other ills.

One had lambasted the children’s camp where dozens of victims died because it was all-white.

Noting the online voices who claimed that since Texas was a “red state,” they got what they deserved, he deplored those who smugly pointed their fingers and made derogatory comments.

“You are not a good person,” said the man (who, ironically, is Black) to one sharp-tongued critic. “You’re a monster; you are not an activist. You do not need a platform.”

While saying not everyone on the left was celebrating the tragedy, the man commented that those who do are the kind of people “who would blame (President) Trump for an asteroid hitting the earth.”

Plenty of Critics

The reality is the critics on the left aren’t by themselves. Critics on the right have unleashed similar verbal attacks towards blue states that have suffered calamities, be it wildfires in California, blizzards in New York, or mudslides in Washington.

As a society, we would do well to remember the commencement speaker’s words about the need for compassion. It seems we have too little to share.

It’s as if our online tools and social media sharing have unleashed hatred, scorn, ridicule, and stereotyping. Instead of the Information Age creating a kinder, gentler, more understanding culture, it has made things worse.

I can’t help thinking that pandemic lockdowns helped stimulate this hate-filled rhetoric. Divided into fear-filled dens of isolation, we were left unstable and unwilling to socialize. The decline in church attendance that followed the demise of lockdowns reflects that.

There are no easy answers, but I think Scripture is a good place to start.

Especially Paul’s words to the Philippians: “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8 MEV).

Another verse that I attempt to follow comes from Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Collective Impact

While some may scoff at the possibility that my words will have any effect, I remember a comment I heard at a spiritual retreat more than 30 years ago: the collective impact of small gestures of kindness and goodwill will be greater than a major event.

That means those of us who lament the hatred expressed online, on social media, and in other forums must act. Striving to live peaceably with all is a great place to start.