Shalise Obray: When we treat the other side with dignity, we make it easier to solve problems. When we treat others with contempt, we make it impossible to solve problems – because contempt takes away our ability to talk to each other.
Opinion Placeholder 2My mom won’t discuss politics. She won’t even stay in the room while you talk about politics with someone else. She can almost sense when a conversation was headed in that direction, and she is gone.
Why is dignity so important? According to the Index website, “When we treat the other side with dignity, we make it easier to solve problems. When we treat others with contempt, we make it impossible to solve problems – because contempt takes away our ability to talk to each other.” Candidates who can offer dignity to everyone show us that they are effective communicators, coalition builders, and problem solvers, the kind of people we need to lead us.