What happens 
when we stop talking?

OPINIONThis piece expresses the views of its author(s), separate from those of this publication.

Story and art by Mike Thompson, USA TODAY
TWO PEOPLE STOOD FEET APART, YELLING AT EACH OTHER THROUGH BULLHORNS.
TALK ABOUT A METAPHOR FOR 2021 AMERICA.
I witnessed the exchange ON THE STEPS OF THE THE KENOSHA COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN KENOSHA, WIsconsin, the day before A JURY acquitted KYLE RITTENHOUSE of FATALLY SHOOTING TWO PEOPLE AND WOUNDING A THIRD DURING A PROTEST THat SWALLOWED THE TOWN in AUGUST 2020.

BUT THE spectacle that i observed COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE IN AMERICA, WHERE WE NO LONGER TALK TO EACH OTHER but AT EACH OTHER - in an increasingly violent manner. 
“YOU WOULDN’T HAVE THE GUTS TO PULL THE TRIGGER, YOU b----.”
"BRING IT!"
"COME HERE, BIG GUY!
"OH, shut the
F--- UP!"
"YOU PIECE
OF s---!"
DEMOCRACY IS BASED ON DIALOGUE, THE FREE AND OPEN AND OFTEN HEATED EXCHANGE OF IDEAS THAT LEADs TO SOLUTIONS. WHEN THE DIALOGUE STOPS, THE SOLUTIONS STOP. A DEMOCRACY WITHOUT DIALOGUE IS POINTLESS.
IT's EASIER TO JUSTIFY ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THOSE we believe embody OUR WORST NIGHTMARES. AND PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP AT A PROTEST WITH ASSAULT RIFLES OR GERMAN SHEPHERDS AREN’T LOOKING TO TALK.
THE BEST IDEAS NO LONGER WIN because we never get to the point of talking. THE PEOPLE WITH THE GUNS WIN. THE PEOPLE WILLING TO USE VIOLENCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS WIN.
WE’RE TEETERING ON THE EDGE OF THE ABYSS, BUT THERE’S STILL TIME TO PULL OURSELVES BACK.
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT.
SINCE WE NO LONGER understand WHERE THE OTHER SIDE IS COMING FROM, THE VOID GETS FILLED BY OUR FEARS AND SUSPICIONS.