Linda Morrison’s Feb. 23 op-ed on mending our nation’s polarization suggested the political left “look in the mirror” before asserting personal opinions as truth. Some political analysis also suggests Democrats contributed to President Trump’s two victories by demeaning and ignoring legitimate concerns of certain Americans, due to their beliefs and values. Remember “the deplorables”? The assumption was that the “other” was misinformed, uneducated and hateful.

Unions and blue collar laborers, traditionally the Democratic Party’s base, have been trying to survive in America’s fast-changing technological, economic and cultural world. Areas of Ohio and Appalachia have some of the highest rates of opioid addiction and white male suicide. Expectantly, threats to one’s survival lead to anxiety, fear, then anger. In two presidential elections, the Democratic Party ignored people wearing MAGA hats (currently morphing into MAMA: Make America Mean Again) by dismissing their fears, thereby lending a hand in Trump’s two wins.

To Ms. Morrison’s point of self-reflection, both far right and far left express a common trait, that of self-righteousness. Is this the image extremists see in the mirror? The self-righteousness will not give ground. She advises us all to look in the mirror. I agree, but add that it may take many long, hard looks for some of us.

Perhaps, before attempts at meaningful discussions begin, compassionate willingness to understand is required, and that is difficult with a self-righteous mindset.

Robert Kahn
Portland