President Barack Obama on Wednesday (January 12, 2011) has implored a divided America to honour those attacked in the Arizona shooting rampage by becoming a better country. Given that many Americans are blaming the “overheated political rhetoric” as one of the possible reason behind the shooting, President Obama has done well not to focus on the blame game but rather to put calm to the otherwise polarized discourse. Ever since President Barack Obama won the democratic ticket for the US Presidential election and subsequently overcame Republican duo of John McCain and Sarah Palin to win the big election and in the process becoming the first American African to enter the White House, the political discourse in America has seen a fundamental change and one that veers towards promoting a ‘climate of hate’. The unity in purpose and the mantra of a United States of America that has been the hall mark of American solidarity is now becoming a thing of the past. With a black President at the helms of affairs for the first time in US history, a section of American public opinion has become almost anti-Obama and anti-Democrat. This is very unfortunate in a country like the US, which is known for its civilized political debate. President Obama has been threatened by white groups in the past and there is heightened security for him. It seems that political violence is rearing its ugly head in the US.
There is great danger to the culture of peace and dialogue which America is known to espouse. According to many commentators, the violent nature of the current political discourse in the US may have had a role in the most recent Arizona shooting which led to the dead of several innocent people and gravely injuring Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords a Democrat. The present political discourse is anything but civilized and is fuelled by mistrust, suspicion and hatred. Arizona also happens to be the hotbed of the recent continuing political frenzy promoted by the so called Tea Party against what they see as ‘communist’ agenda of a ‘black President’. Such a discourse that has developed in the short time since President Obama took over is indeed very disturbing, unfortunate and at the same time unnecessary. Political parties and leaders including the media must show restrain and greater responsibility on what is put out in the public domain. It is a matter of concern to also note that the independent free media in America does not exist anymore. The American media has become highly polarized between the Left and the Right. This is only further fueling the political divide of extremism.
Politicians may argue about their positions on such fundamental issues as healthcare, immigrants, gun control, homeland security etc. There is however a need to be cautious especially when it comes to political rhetoric. Public leaders, wherever they are in whichever country or society, must learn to refrain from using the language of hate. This is applicable even in the Naga context at a time when we are trying to bring about peace, reconciliation in out land. Leaders should not make disagreement on political issues as a tool to promote polarization or hate campaigns bordering on violence and intolerance. Politicians in particular must carry the moral responsibility to promote civilized public discourse even in the face of irrevocable or irreconcilable differences. It is a time to reflect for America’s leaders and public alike to start the process of correcting the ills which has led to the level of violence in American society as never seen before in a long time. As one County Sheriff looking into the Arizona killings suggests, the shootings might have been influenced by "vitriolic rhetoric" in the political discourse. What is required is a return to political civility not just in America but around the world so that a climate of trust and respect is there for dialogue to take place without resorting to hate or violence.
