This Election Season

Dear JMU Community,

As I write this message, our nation is already in the midst of a tumultuous election season that reaffirms the bedrock principle of our democracy: that we, the people, are this nation’s sovereign. This critical exercise of our constitutional rights and responsibilities is occurring at an unsettling time in our nation and our world. Our divisions have grown starker, driven by anxieties elevated by a tiresome yet lethal pandemic, by social upheavals around issues of race, and by the continued coarsening of our speech and interactions.

We will be challenged in the coming weeks. In fact, we already have seen in our own community of scholars an intemperance unbecoming of those supposedly committed to the free and open exchange of ideas. Such coarseness aimed at any one group injures all groups, and gives further delight to those who enjoy sowing division. We see many examples on social media and elsewhere of people lashing out at one another in anger, fear, and frustration. While we know these times are stressful for everyone, as an educational community we can, and must, be better than that.

Being better starts with an awareness that we all have a role to play in creating the kind of environment in which we can all thrive. As a university, we have a responsibility to ensure that individuals of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome and can participate actively in the vigorous civil discourse that marks an institution of higher learning. That means that all of us have a lot to learn, and all of us have a lot to contribute. Deep learning takes place when we encounter and consider different viewpoints and life experiences. We should all expect and embrace this opportunity, and each of us must do our part to create that kind of environment for one another.

Like many of you, I have friends across the political spectrum—friends for whom I have deep appreciation, affection, and respect. Their ideas, opinions, and experiences are certainly not all the same, and my life is enriched by knowing each of them. When we take the time to listen genuinely to one another, we can build bridges and increase mutual understanding. That doesn’t mean we will all agree on contentious issues, nor should that be our goal. I believe that our common humanity is far more important than any partisan political issue. With and through our differences, we need to keep seeking ways to work together, find common ground, and address the major challenges of our time.

The next few weeks provide an opportunity for us to live out our mission, vision, and values. As the university named for the Father of the Constitution, let’s strive to set an example for how a diverse community can, in the heat of the moment, forge an even deeper commitment to respecting the dignity of all. So many valuable resources are available to us, many of which can be found at The Madison Center for Civic Engagement. Information about voting, town hall recordings with candidates from across the political spectrum, and nonpartisan voter guides can be found on the Election Connection page. Also available is a resource on facilitating difficult election conversations. More information on pre- and post-election learning opportunities is forthcoming. I hope that everyone in our community will exercise their right to vote, while not taking for granted that we have this freedom and responsibility.

And beyond voting, I would urge us all to reflect on how we can pursue the goal of a “more perfect Union” together. That hard work is up to every generation, and our time is now. It starts with each of us and the choices we make as we live in community. So let’s resolve to be good to ourselves and to others. Let’s remember and celebrate our common humanity, even as we acknowledge our differences. And let’s show the world that there is a better way—and that we can live together, work together, and learn together with mutual respect. That is how we will live up to the highest ideals of our educational mission.

With warm regards,

Jonathan R. Alger
President