NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.
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I love our town. We are all so fortunate to live here. The natural beauty and community resources are outstanding. We are a community who cares, and we are a community who gets involved. I also want us to be a community who engages in a civil manner, particularly online.
Some of the comments made by readers of this news outlet as well as comments made elsewhere online regarding community issues are awful to read. Whether discussing Arnold Karp and affordable housing, the future of Valles pool at the Y, leaf blower regulations, or anything else that gets us worked up, we need to practice self regulation. To agree on issues is not the goal. You have a right to speak up, to disagree, to share your perspective. That makes our community better. But the snarky comments aimed at individuals and the online “arguments” are exhausting to read and totally unproductive. Before you hit send, please ask yourself: Is this comment productive? Is this comment based on fact or speculation? Is this comment respectful? Would I encourage my children to talk this way? Should I find a better way to vent my frustration?
Rather than making destructive comments online, you might be better off taking a deep breath and a walk around our beautiful town. Everyone here cares and deserves to be treated with respect.
Emily Burns
Emily,
This is very well said. We are fortunate to live in a community where people care deeply about local issues and are willing to be involved. Respectful disagreement makes us stronger. Personal attacks and assumptions do not. Thank you for the thoughtful reminder that how we speak to one another matters just as much as the issues we are discussing.
Courtney Galvan
Thank you Emily! It lifts my spirits when people like you, who I believe represent the majority of New Canaanites, speak up for the value of Civility. We can disagree on issues, but we can do it with courtesy and grace
Well said, Emily. Thank you for your admonition, and your encouragement to speak respectfully with each other. Admitted disagreement, the courteous exchange of ideas, and practical compromise in finding solutions, are healthy ways to advance beyond what, unfortunately, substitutes for intelligent public discourse in much of today’s American society and the political arena. We would all do well to “take that deep breath and walk around” before speaking.
Wonderful comment, Emily. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you, Emily! Well stated.
Well said, Emily!
What a refreshing perspective, Emily!
Thank-you very much for this constructive reminder. I really appreciate you promoting better discourse in our community.
Very well said, Emily, and some of the same lessons discussed and practiced at the recent “Let’s Talk, New Canaan” program. We all should heed your advice before pressing the send button!