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| Written by PI Editorial Staff | |
| Saturday, 01 December 2007 | |
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Dialogue: A good thing So much space in local newspapers these days is devoted to chronicling when government officials get things wrong that it’s important to note when they get it right. One good thing happened Wednesday, when city police and fire authorities met with a downtown merchant and Patterson Apricot Fiesta representatives about local business worries. In less than half an hour, Blues Café owner Rick Barron mentioned his grievances and the handful of people in the City Hall room, including police Chief Tyrone Spencer, Fire Marshal Steve Hall and three Apricot Fiesta representatives, worked together to come up with an equitable solution. Everyone left with a sense of accomplishment. That's in stark contrast to recent community dialogue, particularly when it comes to the PCCP West Park project. Whether in online blogs, at public meetings or in regular conversation, folks ridicule their ideological opponents without ever really stopping to talk face to face and ask why they believe what they do. Is this what this community wants to be about? Often, people believe dialogue with opponents is a sign of weakness, and culturally, we are becoming increasingly polarized. Folks can watch certain news networks, listen to radio programs or log onto any number of Web sites and never be challenged by opinions that do not reflect their own ideologies. Anyone who does not follow the party line is worthy of mockery — or outright character assassination. And yet, nothing gets accomplished by nastiness. No one is any more convinced of the other person’s argument, and the goal that any party sets out to accomplish takes a backseat to backbiting. Sure, it is important to have conviction, and some things are even worth dying for. Many people feel passionate when it comes to debating the future of the West Side, as they should. But there is a way to state one’s case while maintaining an attitude of dignity and respect for others. Honest dialogue must emphasize an understanding of others' concerns. Perhaps, there is a lesson that can be learned by five or six people gathering around a small table at City Hall, face to face, though starting out with separate agendas. After all, Patterson already is challenged with tough economic times and a foreclosure crisis. If we truly want this community to thrive, we must take time to engage in dialogue rather than commit to civil war.
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