We live in an age of contempt. Whatever your perspective politically or socially, you know people who practice contempt for their enemies. Even simply calling them “enemies” speaks to the hyperbole we use, as if people we disagree with are to be conquered, not neighbors and friends to be loved.
Into this sad state of affairs enters Arthur Brooks and his amazing new book Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt. It’s been a long time since I gave a book front page on this blog, but this one is well worth it.
Did you know that one in six Americans have stopped talking with close friends and family over politics? Mind you, that’s not one in six who won’t talk politics; we’re talking about one in six who completely stopped talking with a friend of family member because of their strident political disagreements. What the hell? Since when did our perspective on the tax code or health care take precedence over relationships with people we love?
It’s disheartening, unhealthy, and is destroying our culture. It is a culture of contempt, and Brooks writes a book with powerful insights and practical solutions. I read this book so fast I went back and read it again just to be sure it was as good as I thought. And it is.
Please do yourself a favor and read this book. Whatever your perspective — radical left, radical right, or one of those rare moderates — this book is an important message we all need to hear. You might be convicted (as I was in parts) but you will mostly be awakened to our responsibility to be good neighbors. Or, as Brooks so aptly described it, to re-learn how to love our neighbors.