Recently The Hill published an opinion piece by my good friend Kevin Ferris titled Lessons from Northern Ireland for Americans who see political opponents as the enemy. It is a very thoughtful and thought-provoking reflection on the partisan violence in Northern Ireland that prevailed for many years until courageous leaders on both sides of the divide came forward to make peace. Kevin’s article starts with a description of the “peace walls” (pictured above) that still separate the factions. But it goes on to warn against those in America who have escalated their vicious political rhetoric in pursuit of their agendas. Here’s a taste:

Imagine, amid the deaths and savagery of the Troubles, how deep the hatreds, the fury, the desires for revenge. All the more remarkable that U.S. envoy George Mitchell could gather Catholic and Protestant leaders together. Could, miraculously, broker a peace among them. Some had long stoked anger and suspicions. They saw blood on each other’s hands. And yet they shook those hands, spurred to action by those who lived along the walls. Who wanted to raise their children on streets free of armored cars and soldiers.

Imagine the courage required of those in positions of responsibility to … behave responsibly. To shift gears from demonizing to cooperating. To check the urge to lash out, or defend only one’s own, or take an eye for an eye.

To speak, and to act, as if lives were at stake.

Many Americans, in the heat of today’s political moment, have chosen a different path. They are angry, self-righteous, seeing only evil and enemies before them – things to destroy or cast apart. Very similar passions and poisons to those that once consumed Northern Ireland.

So far, America’s growing walls are not made of concrete or steel but the ignorance and herd mentality pervading social media, the arrogance and bias of media – and of leaders behaving irresponsibly. The mortar: Suspect THEIR motives. Dismiss THEIR views. Never give the benefit of the doubt. Never think you could be wrong.

Even America’s virtual walls are enough to breed animosities that last a lifetime, that make separation both necessity and comfort. And when horrific acts of violence occur here – whether related to politics or not — they play into ideologues’ hands, blanketing all on the other side with a presumption of guilt. See? THEY are truly evil. Another brick in the wall.

Well said. I urge you to read the entire article.

As for the author, Kevin Ferris is an Army veteran, former member of the editorial board of the Philadelphia Inquirer, vice president of communications at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, and co-author of Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal. 

When Kevin worked at the Inquirer, he was the single right-of-center member of the editorial board. It was solely due to his dogged determination that my writing ever made it onto the Inky’s op-ed page. Despite being outnumbered and surrounded by his progressive colleagues, every single day Kevin fought the good fight to bring some semblance of balance to the paper’s editorial page. But, after years of weary and dispiriting struggle, Kevin left the Inquirer and joined Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, a truly remarkable organization that is most fortunate to have his able services and is worthy of your support.

Thanks to Kevin, I had the privilege of attending an awards banquet at the Freedoms Foundation. Among the attendees were a number of Medal of Honor recipients. The comic high point of this terrific evening came when I found myself sharing drinks and conversation with three very distinguished men in business suits each wearing the Medal of Honor about his neck. I made small talk with these heroes by telling them about the ten worst paper cuts I suffered as an organized crime prosecutor. For some reason, they didn’t seem impressed.

But I digress. Back to Kevin. After you have read his latest article (and even better purchased and read his book), please let me know what you think. I have been trying to lure him into becoming a contributor to this blog, but it’s been a tough sell. Hopefully, a little positive feedback from you will encourage Kevin to take the plunge and join us here at Knowledge is Good.

If he does, you won’t be disappointed.