We have come to the end of the 2020 legislative session – a memorable, challenging, unique time to say the least. These difficult times will forever be remembered, and so will our response to problems during the pandemic. Our actions and our decisions will be noted for the history books.
Unfortunately, not all of those footnotes will highlight a triumph. Recently, we read about Deerfield Rep. James Spillane, who inexplicably posted on social media inciting violence against any local home which displays a Black Lives Matter sign on the front lawn. This is horrific, embarrassing, improper, infuriating, and I was pleased to see legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle condemn Spillane’s words. It would have been better to see both sides join the speaker in calling for his resignation.
Actions have consequences. Decisions have sometimes immeasurable impacts. Our words matter. The words we choose build the foundation for the legacy we leave behind to others. Our words explain our choices, our motivations, our philosophy, and our hearts.
As New Hampshire representatives, we set a standard. People look to us to solve problems, to interpret all of the craziness of our times, and seek solutions. People turn to us during trying times for answers, inspiration, comfort.
As state representatives, we have obligations and responsibilities that start when we take that oath of office on swearing-in day. The obligations don’t end. We must speak responsibly.
Speaking responsibly recognizes differing viewpoints, respects others, and represents our best selves. It means we do not advocate racist behavior and it means we do not ever advocate illegal violent behavior. We do not incite violence.
In another life, I served as a criminal prosecutor. In each case that landed on my desk, I had to determine if the case was “on point” before considering whether to file charges. What’s “on point” for inciting violence? The United States Supreme Court ruled in 1969, that it would only punish advocacy that “is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action.” That is exactly what Rep Spillane did.
As representatives, we are held to a higher standard of conduct. It’s why we must take full responsibility for our words and the impacts they may have. Those who cannot handle this simple yet critical responsibility should not serve.
Mr. Spillane is an example of how not to serve, how not to conduct public policy conversations. I beg my fellow members to continue down the path of responsible speech and steer away from the distracting, magnetic draw of social media and the internet, which allows us to be disconnected from our audience. We cannot ever allow ourselves to become another faceless character with keyboard courage, willing to throw hate-filled one-liners at anyone who dares disagree with an opinion we share. That’s not the New Hampshire way.
These are extraordinary and trying times, requiring us to work more closely together in the task of problem solving than ever before. Despite the social distancing exercise of the pandemic, we are shoulder to shoulder in our work to overcome. We can do it only if we are looking out for one another, not trying to tear each other down.
Crisis reveals character – and I hope to see more cooperation than character attacks going forward.
Sen. Robert F Kennedy expressed my hopes best: “We can do well in this country. We will have difficult times; we’ve had difficult times in the past; we will have difficult times in the future. It is not the end of violence; it is not the end of lawlessness; it is not the end of disorder. But the vast majority of white people and the vast majority of Black people in this country want to live together, want to improve the quality of our life, and want justice for all human beings who abide in our land.
“Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.”
(Rep. Katherine Rogers lives in Concord.)