We need to stop.

Stop with the name-calling. Labeling people Karens, Kevins, snowflakes, rednecks, and RINOs. This only divides us and insults each other.

Stop with the meltdowns. It’s hard when you don’t get what you want, but there is no reason to throw a temper tantrum because you were asked by a private business to wear a mask while in their store. People and businesses can set healthy boundaries. Then, you have the choice to honor those boundaries while in their stores…or leave.

Stop with the insults. The shirts and hats that express lewd and crude messages to those who disagree with your political views, the childish chants about Brandon, and the aggressive flags that support a fallacy. If Jesus wouldn’t do it, then why do you?

Stop with the narrow-minded views. Just because you don’t understand the perspective doesn’t mean it’s invalid. Yes, we do need a version of Annie featuring a cast of all-black actors. There was a time when no one with black skin would have been considered for those roles. This barrier needs to be acknowledged and broken. You may not see the need, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there for someone else. Please allow that need to be honored without judgment.

Stop reacting. Things are going on around us that we disagree with. So rather than reacting with anger, name-calling, and hate, let’s take a moment to develop a healthy way to respond to the situation and make a positive change. Responding allows us to take steps toward each other rather than away.

Stop forcing your religion on others. You have a right to your religious beliefs, but I also have a right to freedom from your religion. Just because I have different religious beliefs than you doesn’t mean mine are a threat to yours. There is enough room for us to have different religious and spiritual practices. Jesus was a Jew and is worshipped by Christians. Isn’t that evidence enough?

Stop creating, believing, and spreading comfortable lies because they fit our narrative of the world we want to live in. Sometimes the truth is a challenging place to live, but the side of truth is always the right place to be.

We need to start.

We need to start expressing opinions without cutting others down.

We need to start allowing for perspectives other than our own. These are opportunities to learn and expand our worldview.

We need to start conversations that bring us closer together rather than broaden our divide.

We need to start using respect rather than disdain in our interactions with others.

We need to start listening to others when they point out our racist or impolite behavior. It is called self-examination. Let’s work to learn and do better in the future, not double down and defend ourselves when we have done wrong.

We need to start looking for the truth, even if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient to our belief system. Stand against lies in all forms and those who spread them.

We need to start accepting that life is complicated, messy, and doesn’t always go our way. We need to care for ourselves rather than lash out at others in these instances.

The Constitution of the United States starts, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…“ Yet, I see behavior every day that is not a move towards a more perfect union. We are better than this.

I challenge us all to show it.