Letter: We can all show we’re better than this

Posted 11/3/22

To the editor:We all need to remember that we live in the greatest country in the world.Having said that, let me also say that I never thought, when I was 9 years old celebrating our country’s …

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Letter: We can all show we’re better than this

Posted

To the editor:

We all need to remember that we live in the greatest country in the world.
Having said that, let me also say that I never thought, when I was 9 years old celebrating our country’s bicentennial, that there would ever be a doubt about that. When my family moved to this town 17 years ago, red/white/blue stripes on Hope Street — again ... no doubt.

Now, everything seems to be different. Division, hate, lack of respect, intolerance for anything or anybody that has different ideas that don’t align with the vision of being an American seems to be around every corner. And it’s tearing apart our communities, our families, our country. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Full disclosure … I have conservative views that are not in line with the state I live in. Hasn’t always been that way. I was raised to listen to those I disagree with. Try to understand where others, who I don’t agree with, are coming from. Be open to new ideas and viewpoints.

I did that and that’s how I landed over here. I have very strong opinions, and my family disagrees with me on quite a bit of political and social issues. However, they respect my views.

Now, I am here to say that my responsibility as a citizen of this country is to listen, be open to new ideas and work toward a better society. 

I suggest that we are at a point in our time, in our community, that we all need to take a deep breath and listen to each other. 

Democracy is not clean. Democracy is not smooth. Democracy involves tolerance and acceptance of individuals and ideas that differ from what each individual holds close to their heart. In order for democracy to survive, it takes work and a level of responsibility toward it. At its best, it’s not perfect, but I believe it’s worth the work.

I am not one to tell people how they should think or act or what to believe in. As an individual who feels a responsibility to this community that my family has thrived in, I do implore everyone to look within themselves, to make our community, here in Bristol, a shining example of why our country is great. Make Bristol an example of tolerance. Listen to those who you don’t agree with. Be open to new ideas. Compromise when possible. Be honest with each other.

Stop communicating on social media. Have a conversation with someone, and don’t walk away or hang-up if things get heated. Take a deep breath and listen.

I believe that we are a better society than how we are portrayed. The spirit of Bristol is really the spirit of America. We just need to continue to work at it. 

After all, we live in the greatest country in the world.

Andrew Nash
Bristol

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.