Commentary
Americans must be
open to listening
Guest commentary
America is suffering a slow and
terrible illness — paralysis by
polarization.
It is as if our society has split into
parallel realities, living side by side
in different worlds, unwilling to
converge. But not unable. By redis
covering that the common inter
ests of a nation’s people always out
number and outweigh the
uncommon ones, we can then be
gin to reverse our worsening paral
ysis before it becomes terminal.
We know our uncommon inter
ests: the doctrine of pre-emptive
war, the rights of the unborn and
the degree of separation desired be
tween church and state. Of course
there are others, though none so
bitterly divisive.
We must also recognize and cele
brate our common interests: the
passion for our country, the generos
ity for helping others, the concern
for the future of our children and the
desire for peace in the world. In
some ways, our bounty is our curse.
In this land of plenty, we are not
forced to work together out of neces
sity or thrift. Our ignorance of each
other misleads us into assigning easy
categorizations: “liberal” or “conser
vative,” “radical” or “war monger.”
We paint those who disagree with us
into absurdly extreme comers in our
mind, and never allow them to come
out and be heard.
Americans are thus increasingly
paying lip service to the ideals of
democracy. A democracy invites
and tolerates the clash of opinions
and understands its obligation to
search for common ground. In
deed, a democracy knows its very
survival depends upon it. A democ
racy recognizes that there are intel
ligent people supporting each side
of every issue. Every truth has an
answering truth.
There exists no issue facing us
truly as simple as a choice between
two absolutes: “good” versus “evil,”
“right” versus “wrong,” “for us or
against us.” Finding common
ground requires, first and foremost,
releasing our anger; it must be let
go, it is doing us no good.
The clenched fist is the extension
of the closed mind. Common ground
is reached only through a willingness
to listen with a mind that is open. By
listening, one permits the possibility
of being listened to.
Discussions must be engaged with
positive discourse, and a mutual in
tention to reveal perspectives not
previously seen. Perspectives must
be offered in the manner that a
teacher explains a new concept, not
as a soldier defends a barricade.
Facing an uncertain future,
Americans must not confuse secu
rity with peace. Authentic peace is
attainable only be searching for
common ground and discovering
our common interests.
The time available is not infinite
— we must begin our journey today.
Todd Huffman is a pediatrician
in Eugene.
Auditions
On June 9 and 10, University Theatre will audition actors for
two productions that will rehearse and perform during fall
quarter. Call 346-4171 or visit 216 Villard for information
regarding scripts and audition appointments.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
guest director: Rob Urbinati
The Dale Wasserman adaptation of the novel by Ken Kesey, to be produced
as part of the Ken Kesey Symposium. Urbinati is a free-lance professional
based in New York City.
There are roles for four women and twelve men, including one very tall, very
strong native American man.
Desdemona
graduate student director: Stephen Rupsch
A response to Shakespeare's Othello by Pulitzer Prize-winning Paula Vogel,
the author of How / Learned to Drive.
There are roles for three women._
university of Oregon
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