Less than two months ago, the North Country was labeled “The Least Politically Prejudiced Place in America” by The Atlantic, an accolade that should bring tremendous pride to a region known for its close-knit communities.

The article noted that, despite having deep-set, fundamentally opposing values, North Country neighbors are more likely to tolerate an opposing viewpoint. Here, in towns like Massena and Norwood and Brasher and Canton, relationships matter.

People matter. They matter when you’re snowed in and your neighbor appears, shovel in hand. They matter when a family is in crisis, and the entire town packs a school or restaurant to lend a helping hand. In these instances, opinions – political and otherwise – matter a little less.

In a time when vitriol, inflammatory language, and carelessly harmful words can be flung easily and with little consequence, it becomes more difficult – and more important – to preserve those small-town values. Unfortunately, county legislator Rita Curran recently made headlines by doing the opposite. A post on social media shared by Curran contained language about Muslims in America. The language in the post was inflammatory. It was uninformed. And it was wrong.

That Ms. Curran is within her rights to post such material is undisputable. So, too, is the fact that the post was offensive, especially to the plurality of nonviolent, patriotic Muslims who live in America. Perhaps most discouraging was Ms. Curran’s non-apology, wherein she stated that she “wasn’t trying to offend anybody” and that she has “friends that are Muslim...I’m not the least bit prejudiced against anyone.”

I could mention the importance of tolerance and forgiveness emphasized throughout the Bible. I could mention the constitutional rights to free expression and religion, which Ms. Curran herself benefits from. I could mention economics, and the kind of image Ms. Curran’s post might project to a 21st century corporation seeking a new location for business. Instead, I would encourage a bit of reflection on everyone’s part.

We have all witnessed or been a part of an opinionated conversation that became too personal, too heated. We have seen headlines and posts on social media that caused feelings of outrage and personal offense. But thanks to an article written in The Atlantic, we are also reminded of the decency that makes our communities work.

Compassion, respect, and carefully-selected words are not signs of weakness; instead, they indicate the furthest extent of conviction and humanity. I would hope these values would be upheld first and foremost by our public leaders, but perhaps it is we the people who must set the standard.

Conner Eldridge

Canton