An interesting sociological phenomenon is unfolding every Saturday morning on the sidewalk stretching from Wells Fargo Bank to Chick-fil-A on the north bound lane of Coastal Highway separating Lewes and Rehoboth.
A troupe of pro-Trump supporters has claimed the white concrete immediately in front of Movies at Midway while a assemblage of Trump resisters has lined the walkway in front of the Giant parking lot.
A vehicle with an anti-Trump flag making its way north past the Trump supporters’ field of vision is likely to see some anguished faces, waves, or “thumbs down” gestures from those gathered.
Curiously, a lorry donning a flag supporting Trump, moving in front of the Trump resisters, is likely to see and hear a cacophony of insulting gesticulations and language directed in that direction. These include a multitude of “middle fingers,” a barrage of expletives, including resounding renditions of the “F-word,” and other vitriol.
Why?
Certainly, while the two groups subscribe to vastly different ideologies, cannot everyone appreciate that the First Amendment affords people the right to espouse divergent positions on matters? Can’t people of disparate opinions tolerate the thinking of their opposites?
It would seem that those who most enthusiastically advocate the principles of tolerance are those most unlikely to demonstrate them. Looking at it through the prism of those to whom the venom is directed, one might correctly surmise that tolerance absent reciprocation is abdication and submission.
Antithetical ideas are a part of our culture. Attempting to excoriate those with whom we disagree will never bring us to common ground but will only widen the crevasse between us.
I would hope those belonging to the antagonistic group will learn that they have a right to celebrate their cause and that others have that same right. Otherwise, those who vociferously support their own cause while defiling those of another opinion will someday find that they will reap what they sow.
This resister group would appear to be a target rich site for the local Speaking Out Against Hate organization’s “Hate Has No Home Here” initiative. If only the low hanging fruit would listen.
Dr. James H. VanSciver
Lewes
