11/06/2024
A note from our Chairman, Jeffrey Hayzlett
One definition of the word “class” is: “showing stylish excellence" as in --
"he's a class act" or "she responded with great class."
It's time we all practiced this ability to be our best. So, whether your candidate won or lost, or whether your ballot issue succeed or not --- it's time we all start exhibiting more class and greater civility to one another.
Almost every person in my life, or at least I think everybody I know, was taught from an early age to win with dignity, to act like you have been there before.
To win with class.
Or if you lost, you were expected to shake the other person's hand and go back, then try harder to beat them the next time.
Loose with class.
Nowhere at any time was I taught to post negative slurs on their social media or to insult their intent. Publicly or privately!
Everybody wants to win. Nobody wakes up in the morning hoping they’re going lose. Losing just sucks.
I believe most of us have the belief that our way, IS the way
Well, it’s not.
No one has the single mandate to the moral high ground. We must occupy it together.
I get it. I have been involved in a lot of campaigns in my life. And, in business, I have made many decisions which affected a lot of lives with positive and negative outcomes. Elections affect a lot more lives. Emotions are high. especially this year in leading up to the election, the election itself and now its aftermath. Emotions are high.
They should be. There is a lot at stake for everyone.
Its life. But is not the end of life as we know it.
We all believe that there is a lot at stake. But it’s neither the end of the earth nor is it a complete vindication nor license to do whatever you want. It was an election. And there will be another one. And many more in the centuries to come.
Those who lost must pick up the pieces and get back in there to fight another day. Those that won most votes have a duty to serve everyone, not just those who voted on their behalf. The majority as a duty to protect and respect the minority.
It’s the way it works. And it supposed to operate with dignity and civility.
We need to show why this system matters as one nation and not divided in separate disparaging camps. It is our duty to work together. We got to this present dysfunctional state by neglecting our duty. Not all of us, but a lot of us.
The single unifying rally cry we all seem to agree on is wondering “How did we get here? Where did it down?” Well, if you quit, you leading part of the problem. And if you point a finger at someone and call them names or boast of your win, well, you too, are part of the problem.
We all live here. Going forward we will run into our neighbor who had the yard sign we saw out on our walk last month, and we shook our head and the “how could they vote for him or her?!” Or we will be sitting at a conference room full of co-workers who went a political rally that we would rather dead than seen attending. And during the holidays we with be with family members who were firmly on the "other" side, and we must to pass on the strong desire to gloat or educate them on having better values while at the same time passing them a turkey leg. Please note, I said, pass, not throw!
The vast majority of American dislike what it's all become. This political process. Has become too long, messy, mean, and downright distasteful. Most would call it a circus or a media side show where the main ingredient comes out of the backend of horse. Our country has had prouder eras in our history.
We all have a choice in how we re-act and behave. It’s your choice so let’s step up our collective game by exhibiting some class and making it better. Because we can and we should.
In fact, this moment in time can be monumental. An opportunity to focus on common values bringing us together rather than forcing us into opposite corners and with no referee in sight.
Action with civility can get us to a better place.
Let us not crawl back onto our couches and armchairs just to give up the cause and point fingers at the other side. Let us not thump our chest loudly and then send a hymn laced message that your cause is anointed by God. Last I checked, we all have God on our side. Or so my bible says.
Opposing actions without compromise and civility will not get us to be the union of one nation. Our power and greatness as a nation is in the differences that bind us together and of the desire to be free that brought us to every single part within our borders and beyond.
I know many feel hurt and sad, who now sit in sorrow and bewilderment, while others are celebrating. While it all matters. it doesn’t because there is something bigger at stake.
Look around --- your children and grandchildren are watching.
And so is the rest of the world.
We like to believe we lead the world. Then let’s do it. Leaders need to set an example, walk the talk. Its not just the politicians and elected officials who need to do this. All of us. This includes moms, dads, papas, grandmas, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, neighbors, friends . . . everyone. Every citizen has this duty.
It’s all public. In civil discourse online, in coffee shops, on subways, at temple, in Sunday school, on campus, at work or in any public forum. Right there in front of everyone to see hear and watch. This right is written and expressed into every fiber of what defines of our country. Many countries lack what we so take for granted. So please use it wisely. Be vocal, do it with style, do it loud, do it often, but please just do it with class.
Let us be like the first responders who heroically run into a burning building to save those in peril or need help. Let us be citizen heroes. Challenge each other to out class each other by reaching across the aisle to extend a firm congratulatory handshake over the yard sign, or a thumbs up to the person wearing a sporting a Harris bumper sticker or a red MAGA hat for what they believe so we can work together to make this a better place. The alternative is not something any of us really want.
It’s what great citizens do.
Doing our best and being our best in the what we believe may be the worst of times is the mark of a great democracy.
