By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following his protest during President Trump’s address, Congressman Al Green faces calls from House Republicans to lose his committee assignments. Green defends his actions, emphasizing his commitment to fighting for the needs of everyday Americans against what he sees as unjust treatment by billionaires. He argues that fairness requires not only just policies, but also policies that appear just. His protest highlights the moral and ethical dimensions of political action against perceived injustices.
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We must move forward with righteous incivility, a concept championed by Representative Al Green, because the current political climate demands it. The traditional methods of polite protest and respectful engagement are failing to counter the blatant disregard for civility and democratic norms exhibited by the opposing party. Silence, in the face of such aggressive tactics, equates to complicity. We’ve reached a point where raising our voices and taking our concerns to the streets is no longer optional; it’s a necessary act of defiance.
This is not a call for violence or hatred; rather, it is a call for a strategic, assertive approach to political action. The current political strategy of remaining silent and adhering to strict decorum is proving ineffective against those who operate outside established rules. We need to mirror their determination, matching their intensity with our own righteous indignation. This isn’t about being rude for the sake of it; it’s about using a powerful form of expression to expose hypocrisy and demand accountability.
Representative Green’s actions highlight the need for a change in strategy. The status quo of polite political discourse has demonstrably failed to curb the erosion of democratic principles. The political opposition isn’t playing by the rules, so why should we? We must be willing to disrupt the established norms to effectively counter their tactics and protect the integrity of our democracy. This might involve challenging established power structures and embracing unconventional methods of protest, as long as they remain within legal and ethical boundaries.
The historical precedent for this approach is undeniable. The Civil Rights movement, for example, was not achieved through polite conversation; it was achieved through disruptive action, civil disobedience, and a willingness to endure hardship for a greater cause. The comparison to the post-WWII German collective guilt is apt; we cannot afford to be silent bystanders while our democratic institutions are threatened. Ignoring the transgressions, or worse, tolerating them under the guise of maintaining civility, will only embolden those who seek to dismantle the system.
The idea of “righteous incivility” is not about embracing rudeness or disrespect; it’s about a shift in tactics. It’s about using powerful and assertive methods to counter the aggressive tactics of the political opposition. This is about matching their intensity with our own determined and righteous opposition to their attacks on democracy.
This is not a call for chaos, but for a strategic recalibration of our political engagement. We need to be assertive, disruptive, and unapologetic in our defense of democratic values. We need to call out hypocrisy, demand accountability, and refuse to be silenced in the face of injustice. We need to be as unrelenting in our pursuit of justice as those who seek to undermine it.
The current political reality necessitates a renewed commitment to active, and even disruptive, participation. The time for polite, measured responses has passed. We are facing a crisis that demands bold action. This is not a time for timid approaches. The only way to combat this is to develop a more strategic and assertive mode of engagement.
This requires us to organize, strategize, and coordinate our efforts. It requires us to find like-minded individuals and organizations to amplify our voices and ensure our actions have a significant impact. We must harness the power of collective action to make ourselves heard above the noise. It requires a concerted effort to organize demonstrations, protests, and engage in other forms of civil disobedience.
We need more people who are willing to stand up and fight for what is right, regardless of the potential personal cost. We need leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo and disrupt the political system in the name of justice and democracy. It requires a willingness to risk our comfort and our reputations in defense of our values. We must find a balance between passionate engagement and remaining within the bounds of the law.
This is a critical juncture in our nation’s history. We must choose between comfortable silence and courageous action. The time for hesitation is over. We must act decisively to protect our democracy from those who seek to undermine it. Let us choose courage, let us choose righteousness, and let us choose to move forward with a righteous incivility that will force the needed change.