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(By: Erika Willitzer – Defiance County Economic Development)
In any community—be it a neighborhood, workplace, school, or online—interactions can often be a melting pot of differing opinions and ideas. It’s natural for conflicts to arise, but the way these moments are handled can determine the strength and cohesion of a community. When respect is prioritized over hostility, something remarkable happens; connections deepen, mutual understanding blossoms, and the community thrives.
But why does respect hold so much power? It holds power because respect turns disagreements into dialogue. Disagreements don’t have to be destructive. When approached with respect, they can spark meaningful conversations and lead to creative solutions. A hotheaded reaction, on the other hand, often just escalates tension. If we listen and respond calmly, individuals signal that they value the other person’s perspective, even if they don’t agree with it. This simple act can transform heated debates into opportunities for growth.
Many years ago, when I wasn’t working in Defiance County, I was at a meeting. One community member threw a chair at an elected official and then pulled out mace and started using it like it was silly string. Thank God, police stormed in and quickly deescalated the situation. I remember thinking, how embarrassed I was, that I was even in attendance with people who acted like this. I literally wanted to disappear.
Anger can be loud, but it rarely builds understanding. A community built on hotheaded exchanges often becomes one where voices are drowned out by shouting or where individuals feel too intimidated to contribute.
I never want to be part of an exchange like that again. In the end, the choice is ours: Do we build up or tear down? I always choose to build. I believe all my community partners in Defiance County pick build. Now, I ask the rest of you – to do the same. After all, a community united by respect is a community that can weather any storm.
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