On social aggression

LARRY ANDERSON
Larry Anderson

Aggression is a human quality dating to the Stone Age, but now it seems we are almost atavistic in our conduct, as if the influence of civilization is waning.

I submit Americans are becoming more aggressive in behavior. I see this in a wide scope of social situations, ranging from the in-your-face attitude of people behind the wheel to politicians carrying on the business of the nation as though in a barroom brawl. Willingness to listen, cooperate, and respect is seemingly in decline.

I hope I’m wrong, and that I have merely become oversensitive in my old age, but that doesn’t explain the driver behind the wheel of a metallic behemoth driving inches from my bumper even as I am doing my best to move out of the passing lane on an overcrowded interstate. And we have all seen the infamous texters thumbing their smart phones with one eye on the road or perhaps not. These are aggressive behaviors that are indifferently and intentionally hazardous.

At times it seems laws designed to protect everyone are recognized only by a driver’s temperament of the moment. The problem is these drivers aren’t just risking their lives and property, but that of anyone with whom they share the road. Aggression can cause tragedy.

I recently saw one of the MODOT signs at the side of the road that said 69 percent of Missouri road fatalities at that point were with people not wearing their seatbelts. Not strapping sends a message of refusal. One has to assume those who can’t see the value of restraint are indifferent to any authoritarian message (Buckle up!) no matter how reasonable.

Those driving as if everyone else on the road is the enemy is becoming more obvious. Testing my theory concerning driver aggression recently, I set my cruise control precisely on 70 mph on I-29. I was passed by dozens of speeders. It was as if every driver had to reach his/her destination instantly and within feet of the vehicle in front of them. This casual attitude concerning safety is disturbing, and there is a pattern developing.

These and other forms of aggression tie to our declining respect for authority. Laws are ignored. Police doing their jobs are ridiculed, abused and attacked. Response to a legal order may be in the form of aggression, as if a lawbreaker has the option of obeying. As likely as not it will be the policeman blamed for the bruises, not the resisting offender.

It is expected now if our president does something unapproved by the opposition, protesters will congregate. That’s fine, but there is a good possibility the area of assemblage will get trashed, fires set, and the property of those who had nothing to do with the supposed offense destroyed. Protest is one thing, but social aggression is another.

Having a right, doesn’t make it right, but it isn‘t hard to find tacit political approval for these behaviors.

Every right we have is designed to protect individuals from the encroachment of power, but that is coupled with citizenship. Not agreeing with a law is not license to ignore it. Aggression not tempered by an understanding of the difference between right and wrong only encourages a response in kind.

Anger can lead to aggression, but controlling one’s anger is a key to maturity. That is not to say there is nothing to be angry about, but it is better to vent sensibly than it is to resort to ugly language and behavior.

Most disturbing these days is the aggressive manner demonstrated by the media for political purposes. The disrespect found in daily programming contributes to our national separation. Often this is done deliberately with that purpose in mind, but more and more I hear people say they are turning away from big media as a source of information and news. Folks are tired of the anger, accusations and bias. They want reporting. They want objectivity. They want to make up their own minds.

I am concerned by this trend toward aggression I am seeing and the impact it could have on the future, on our young people, and on our national well-being.

Larry W. Anderson is a retired educator, author and Bearcat.