City of Estherville issued the following announcement on Sept. 4.
We all have the innate desire to be valued, respected, and heard by others. When others strip us of our value, it creates bitterness and self-doubt within us. When we are shown disrespect, it leaves us with feelings of inadequacy and anger. When we are not heard by others, we are left thinking our voices and opinions do not matter. As human beings, we have the responsibility and duty to hear others out and not dismiss their concerns, opinions, or beliefs. It is our duty and responsibility to show others respect regardless of what they have done, who they are, or the difference in their perspective. It is incumbent of us to treat others as valued members of society, who contribute to society as a whole.
We must be resigned to the fact that we will not agree on every issue, despite how many times we discuss or debate a particular subject matter. However, let us at least have intellectual conversations with one another on issues where we disagree. Let us be willing to hear someone out to understand their passion, pain, and plight. Let us not become so transfixed on our ideologies that we refuse to be challenged by others or admit that we need to change. We all have not experienced the same heartache and pain, so let us be sensitive and aware of our actions, words, and what we post. It is a simple thing to be considerate of others. But let us also have enough thick skin during difficult times that we do not become overwhelmed with grief or anger. Let us also not view those with opposing views as the antithesis to our existence. We must be mature enough to see the human being for who they are instead of who we portray them to be.
I encourage us all not to over politicize every situation, post, and comment. But I also encourage you to exercise your right to vote and post, regardless of your political affiliation. Just remember that we all have the right to protest just as much we all have the right to promote any particular political party or candidate. Free speech is a beautiful thing, but it is also a beautiful gesture to be considerate of others and their opinions. We have not been granted the inalienable right to judge a particular peer group or a group of individuals who share a profession as bad, due to the poor decisions of others in their profession. It is not our way to condemn someone as guilty with no valid proof. Let us take the time to engage each other as individuals by getting to know the personal character, values, beliefs, and experiences of each other. Once we know an individual we tend to be more aware of how our words and deeds impact them. Knowing the true character of someone helps us to put away our childish misconceptions.
Let us shape a better culture for future generations so they will not have to experience the difficulties we have endured this past year and in generations past. Let us be better than our predecessors and show the world what it means to be united in a spirit of unity for the greater good. We are all struggling right now to hold on to our sanity and remain united. Let us not intentionally stir the pot on social media and act out of character towards one another. Let us be an example to our children on how to have intellectual conversations and work towards progressive change. We are all in this together. We will either perish together as fools or we will be victorious as a team. We must learn to work together and ensure all voices are heard, silence is not the answer. For all of these equal the elements of a good life. I have the faith to believe we will get there, hang in there friends.
Joseph M. May |Mayor
Original source can be found here.
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