The Dignity Index

For the past several months Mary Lou and I have attended a couple of weekly classes aimed at finding some comfort during the turmoil of this election season.  As a student of politics my entire life, I am very concerned about this presidential election in general and its effect on our country in particular.

More specifically, I find that I am less frank about my own thoughts because of a real and legitimate fear of alienating acquaintances, friends and even family.  I have struggled to find peace with this notion that discussions about politics (does anyone talk about anything else these days?) can not be frank or honest. 

Do not try to read between the lines here.  Supporters of the candidates of both parties are guilty of phrasing questions or comments in such a way as to not invite conversation at all.  It is amazing how a question can become a statement just by the inflection of your voice.

In one of these weekly discussions, I was introduced to the Dignity Index.  It was created in 2022 during the mid-term elections.  It is a scale to grade speech along a continuum from dignity to contempt.  As soon as I read it, I realized it was a guide to what I had been searching for.

The scale assumes that everyone deserves dignity.  It recognizes that words have power.  Speech rooted in contempt fosters division.  Alternatively, speech given in dignity can help bridge that division and heal the differences that separate us.

The Dignity Index is a collaboration between a variety of groups and professionals working under the umbrella of the University of Utah.  This short article can only scratch the surface of the work they are doing. 

In an attempt to expose you to just a couple of points on the scale, see if they are familiar to you, both as one who speaks and one who listens.  I will begin at the end of the scale illustrating contempt because that is where the most damage is done.

“They are not even human.  We must destroy them before they destroy us”.   Have you had these thoughts as you scanned Facebook, liked memes, or even listened to the news?  These violent words can lead to violent action.  

“These people are evil, and they are going to destroy our country.  It is us or them”.   This level crosses the line from accusing someone of being bad or doing bad things.  We accuse them of being evil which allows rhetoric to inflame action, even giving permission for actions considered unthinkable just a decade ago.

“We are the good people, and they are the bad people.  It is us versus them”.  Level 3 does not just attack one’s capability or competence.  Rather it attacks their moral character.  This is dangerous territory in discussions with those we care about, with friends and acquaintances.  Attacking the moral character of someone you care about is the quickest way to burn a bridge at great cost.

“We are better than those people.  They don’t really belong.  They are not one of us.”  Level 4 is slightly less contemptuous, which is only a more polite way of saying it is slightly more acceptable.   In reality it attacks the other side’s beliefs and backgrounds.  We think they are less competent, and their performance is lacking.  

“The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard.  It is their country too.”  Level 5 reaches the place where we begin to think we reside, or at least aspire to be.  We will listen respectfully to what the other person has to say and will respectfully explain our own thoughts, goals and views.

“We always talk to the other side, searching for the values and interests we share.”   I believe there are many people who reside in this Level 6.  More realistically, there are some who take this approach on most things, but have an area or two that presents a challenge for them.  Politics often discloses those litmus test issues on an otherwise open-minded citizen.

Let’s just stop there because the additional levels moving towards complete dignity are few and far between if we are honest with ourselves.  For instance, do we engage with the other side, admit mistakes and embrace areas where we might have been wrong?  This is that rare place where consensus builders and statesmen reside.  They seek that sliver of common ground that allows dialogue to expand until a breakthrough occurs.

Since we have come this far, Level 8 is the pinnacle of dignity.  “Each one of us is born with inherent worth, we treat everyone with dignity – no matter what.”   That no matter what part is a real challenge.  Are we willing to listen everyone?  Do we see ourselves in every other human being?  Can you issue yourself the challenge that you will hate no one and you will offer dignity to all with whom you disagree?

The Dignity Index states their goal simply on their website.  It is designed to prevent violence, ease divisions and solve problems.  Is there anything that our country needs more at this point leading into an election that threatens to tear our country apart?

I would ask that you do what I have done.  Read the index several times.  Admit to yourself how you react to certain statements or ads.  Think again not only about who makes the statements but, also, how you react to them.  What is your responsibility with regard to the index?

A complicated article for a complicated time.  Do yourself a favor and google the Dignity Index.  Be honest with yourself about where you reside, between dignity and contempt.  Do not allow others to manipulate you with their own contempt. 

The Index has changed the way I react to most things upsetting me and has given me some ownership of how to solve the problem.  If all else fails, re-read level 8, which simply says everyone is born with inherent worth.  It also says we treat everyone with dignity – no matter what.  Is that what you believe?

o0o

Dan Ponder can be reached at [email protected]