OPINION: Choose kindness in the new year

Words have a powerful impact. I don’t believe that most people intend to cause harm when they use threatening or insulting language; however, over the past few years, I have watched as community members, neighbors and friends have become desensitized to the impact of their words and actions. This desensitization is scary because it is an implicit justification that it’s OK to treat others unkindly, especially if they disagree with you.

I was raised to believe the only pathway toward true justice is nonviolence. Anger never persuades another to see your point of view. Harassment and bullying are not effective communication tactics, and threats and violence erode the ability to build trust. I fundamentally believe my responsibility as a citizen, a Christian, and a good human is to unconditionally love my neighbor and treat others as I want to be treated. I was raised this way and I honor those who raised me by striving to be kind to everyone, always.

And yet here I am, writing a commentary because, in 2023, I experienced an unexpected level of vitriol from both sides of the aisle. Whether it’s because of my stance on fundamental human rights or my support of one progressive candidate over another, I have been subject to all manner of online and in-person bullying and harassment tactics. None of it is OK.

I ran for office because I want to make tomorrow better for every Alaskan. I don’t expect everyone to agree with my approach to public policy, and I welcome the disagreement and subsequent dialogue. I am privileged to be a member of a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the Alaska State Senate, where I hear from multiple perspectives on every issue. Those conversations, while some of them very difficult, are rooted in civility and kindness. I wholeheartedly believe we all want a better tomorrow for every Alaskan.

This is why the approach from those outside of the Alaska State Capitol is so perplexing to me. If we want our policymakers to build toward a better future, how does that happen when we make their jobs so untenable? We need good people in government to stay and find pathways forward, rather than quit and walk away in disgust.

Whether it is defacing a candidate’s road signs, sending them thinly veiled threats on social media, tweeting their parents’ addresses, or harassing them in the grocery store — this behavior is unacceptable. Bullying, harassment, and threats to anyone running for any political office are not OK. Please remember that these candidates and elected officials are our neighbors who have stepped up to do the hard work of governance. These people are giving their time and talent to improve our communities, whether you agree with them or not.

Nothing I am writing here means that candidates and elected officials should not be held accountable for their actions and forthright with voters and constituents about issues. It is the fundamental job of the people to be civically engaged but how we hold people accountable matters. We can treat each other with kindness and get our message across. It is possible to disagree and still work together toward a better tomorrow.

As 2023 ends and 2024 begins, I implore you to please be kind. Imagine you are on the receiving end of whatever message you will send and ask yourself how you would receive those same words. I am convinced that our communities and our society would be much better if we treated each other with a little more kindness.

Löki Gale Tobin is the chair of the Alaska State Senate Education Committee, serves as the Pride Foundation Board Secretary, and is a Ph.D. student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

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