Pacifism is defined as: “opposition to war or violence as a resort in the settlement of disputes,” according to the dictionary. On the other hand, the word pacify is defined: “to bring or restore to a state of peace or tranquility; quiet; calm.” While seeking to reconcile the two different definitions, it seems that one is opposed to war or violence and the other requires qualities that can restore peace and tranquility to a situation or person. Observing the recent upheaval taking place in the countries of the Middle East with the riots that have broken out and the bloodshed that has been occurring as a result of the riots, there seems to be little evidence that pacifism is at work in these locations. Our nation allows for peaceful demonstrations and gatherings of citizens to express their opinions on various issues. Recently, the media has been following the development of the group known as Occupy Wall Street. It has been somewhat difficult to determine exactly what those who have joined together are really wanting. There seems to be an element of non violent protest about culture and cultural issues. There seems to be no real clearly defined answers as to why these groups have sprung up. Some of the people in these groups are there with clearly defined motives and with agendas about change they want to see brought about in our culture. Other members of these groups seem to have just joined in because it looked like a party they would like to be in on, and with not so clear ideas as to why they are there or what it will take to pacify their desire. It is the uncertainty that has caught my attention.
Being an advocate with passionate opinions, I have been with various groups with which I agree and with others that have opposing viewpoints, yet just as passionate in their belief system. Opposing points of view have never bothered me. That might come as a surprise to many who read this column, but I have been around controversial ideas long enough to know that we do not always agree on every point in culture. Freedom of speech and press is enjoyed in our country. For that truth I am thankful. The one area that does bring great concern for me is when one side tries to one-up the other by using tactics that are designed to silence the other side. There should be no fear when we express our opinions knowing the only response will be to belittle or make fun of those with differing viewpoints. Rather than engaging in mature conversation when some people hold to a different opinion, the tendency is to lapse into the wrestle mania mode and try to scratch the eyes out of the person with another viewpoint. It is most likely too much to ask, but it seems we should be able to approach differing viewpoints with an allowance for each side to express their opinions without fear that they are going to be held up to a fancy public humiliation tactic by one side or the other.
With the onslaught of the blogosphere which allows for name calling, and opinions expressed by fake named contributors, there is now the belief that anything goes when trying to make the side with which one disagrees to look as foolish as possible. The unfortunate aspect of this new media is that it retrofits to a day in journalism known as “Yellow Journalism.” A time when anyone could say anything they wanted about a public or private citizen and have it printed in the newspaper with no proof of the charges. The attitude behind “Yellow Journalism” reveals the wrong motives of those who use it.
Opinions and preferences are now stated as cold hard facts, rather than opinions and preferences. From what I have seen, many within the groups that are currently occupying public places are doing so with little or no real understanding of the freedoms they enjoy and the advantages they have being citizens of this great nation. We need only look at the other nations of the world to see how quickly these peaceful demonstrations have turned violent with physical harm as the outcome which has brought no solution to their issues. This has yet to happen in our country, thankfully. It seems no matter how much tolerance is exercised toward these pacifists groups, they refuse to be pacified.
Ray Newman
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