Loving Our Neighbors

A distinct component of a Baylor education is the development of vital skills necessary to effectively lead and serve in complex, diverse and sometimes challenging environments. Toward this end, the University emphasizes the importance of participating in civil discourse — the practice of relationally deliberating on matters of significant concern in ways that aim to expand knowledge and promote mutual understanding.

Ivy Hamerly, Ph.D., senior lecturer in political science, offers insights into how we can engage in civil discourse even when we might see things differently or disagree. 

“I’m determined not to let it divide me from people I care about who see things differently.”
Ivy Hamerly, PH.D.

“Our political discourse seems very polarized right now, but from what I’ve seen of surveys, the American public isn’t that polarized,” Hamerly said. “Our policy preferences aren’t that different. In actuality, the rhetoric is inflamed and dividing us — and I’m determined not to let it divide me from people I care about who see things differently.” 

According to Hamerly, who encourages civil discourse in her classes where she teaches comparative political analysis using current theories and cross-regional examples from both historical and contemporary eras, loving our neighbor amid political discourse means keeping a few things in mind:

Regardless of background and life experience, we can treat others with dignity and the way we want to be treated. “Loving our neighbor means not shunning them because we don’t agree with their every opinion,” Hamerly said. We might disagree, but we can still treat individuals with respect. 

There is nothing gained from bullying individuals into agreeing with us. 

Showing care to one another can build connections while simultaneously creating avenues of understanding. If we want to be good neighbors, we meet others where they are — we make an effort to not be combative and, instead, to listen more with curiosity to understand each other better. 

Consider the language used in conversations. “Try not to use ‘code words’ coined by political parties. If we use a word that’s part of an inflamed, polarized rhetoric, that’s where the conversation goes. But if we try to say it in our own words, sometimes people hear it and realize we’re not that different in what we care about,” Hamerly said.