General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)Tim Shriver's challenge. How many DUers would subscribe to the pledge to keep their language at level 5 or above? [View all]
Time Shriver (yes, some sort of cousin to RFK Jr.) is on a campaign to mitigate the divisions in our country. Does this ring a bell for you?
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ONE
Level one escalates from violent words to violent actions. Its a combination of feeling the other side is less than human and calling for or approving violence.
The Subtext
They're not even human. It's our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us.
TWO
Level two accuses the other side not just of doing bad or being bad, but promoting evil.
The Subtext
Those people are evil and they're going to ruin everything if we let them. It's us or them.
THREE
Level three attacks the other sides moral character, not just their capabilities or competence.
The Subtext
Were the good people and theyre the bad people. Its us vs. them.
FOUR
Level four mocks and attacks the other sides background, their beliefs, their commitment, their competence, their performance.
The Subtext
Were better than those people. They dont really belong. Theyre not one of us.
FIVE
Level five listens to the other sides point of view and respectfully explains their own goals, views, and plans.
The Subtext
The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. They belong here too.
SIX
Level six sees it as a welcome duty to work with the other side to find common ground and act on it.
The Subtext
We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share.
SEVEN
Level seven wants to fully engage the other side - discussing the deepest disagreements they have to see what breakthroughs they can find.
The Subtext
We fully engage with the other side, discussing even values and interests we don't share, open to admitting mistakes or changing our minds.
EIGHT
I can see myself in every human being, I refuse to hate anyone, and I offer dignity to everyone.
The Subtext
Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity--no matter what.|here] for more info.
