By Dennis Ellman
What makes the United States great (not great again, but great now) is our freedom.
Certainly freedom of speech stands out for all who live in this wonderful country. We also have separation of church and state, which often seems to disappear during highly-polarized election cycles or when religious issues become hot fodder due to pending legislation or the horrific actions of a few.
Today, everything has become fuzzy and divisive. We not only disagree, but we seek to impose our will on others and remain vocally and vehemently intolerant.
Whether a U.S. citizen supports or does not support Donald Trump or any other candidates, that citizen has the right to do so without judgment. Perhaps it’s unfair and even unsafe nowadays to even ask a person about his or her political leanings, since the answer is personal, but the potential repercussions hazardous. We are labelled by whom we support without consideration of our history, private convictions or good intentions.
Punishing a person for his or her point of view, imposing on that person the point of view of a third party and acting punitively, certainly seems contrary to the very concept of freedom. It’s also contrary to the very moral and ethical standards espoused by esteemed universities like the University of San Diego, an institution that has benefitted significantly from the philanthropy of Jenny Craig and Papa Doug Manchester. I suspect these individuals endowed the university out of kindness, generosity and complete appreciation for the university’s mission and not quid pro quo.
One might suspect that I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Trump supporter for speaking out on this. Why else would I respond? I am one who chooses to keep my political choices confidential. I always have. But to voice them, whatever they may be, is my right and I should be able to do so, particularly in a presidential election, without repercussions or judgment, and I should have the encouragement of the larger public to contribute to society — whether these contributions are causes, individuals or institutions — without others rallying to discredit me.
Certainly I’m disgusted by the disheartening and disparaging tone of the national conversations. It’s hard to conjure a time when so many cultures and races were so openly alienated. My passion as an American (and human) is to act differently, work toward peace and civility, act respectfully and live, as best as possible without judgment.
I acknowledge Mr. McKellar’s remarks regarding Mr. Trump’s positions and statements. At the same time, the adamancy, hostility and, yes, divisiveness of Mr. McKeller’s remarks — particularly in an open forum that calls on others to condemn individuals for their personal beliefs — seems virtually inseparable from the actions of others that he deems as unacceptable.
Dennis Ellman is a San Diego-based marketing and strategic communications executive.
