One person figured that I would only accept a $50 donation from them so that I wouldn't need to include their name on the financial disclosure. Another person agreed to write a statement of support, but wondered aloud if it was in my best interest, considering the unpopular stance they took on a recent local issue. Another was surprised that I would even ask if they would support me publicly.
Perhaps the saddest and most surprising sentiment I've come across while campaigning has been from people who feel like outcasts because of their involvement in the community. This sentiment came from a few individuals across the PPS (Provo political spectrum - which is a truly peculiar spectrum). These are good people. They are involved because they genuinely care about Provo. They have worked hard for the betterment of our community. But they feel like they have alienated other involved citizens because they saw an issue differently. They felt that their motivations were questioned when they advocated for an unpopular cause.
Perhaps we, engaged citizens of Provo, need to do a better job of not allowing differences of opinion to drive wedges in relationships. We need to resist the urge to question to the motivations, the understanding, or the intelligence of people who are fighting on the other side of issues. The best policies and decisions come from robust debate and discussion. It hurts our community if people fear to raise their voice of dissent. It erodes our humanity when we harbor animosity towards those with whom we disagree. We should be kind and supportive of the people who care enough to engage in our community, even, and perhaps especially, when we find ourselves on opposite sides of an issue.
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