As we gather for Thanksgiving this week, we not only celebrate the big meal and family traditions but also the quieter, less celebrated aspects of November: football, facial hair, and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder of the power of kindness. This year, though, World Kindness Week arrives at a particularly ironic moment, just days after an intense election season that tested the limits of civility.
World Kindness Week Meets the Election Aftermath
The timing of World Kindness Week, in a month already marked by division and heated debates, seems to be, well, a bit ironic. In Nebraska—where friendliness and hospitality are nearly as ingrained as the rolling plains—kindness is a badge of honor. Yet, just days before we were reminded to “be nice” during this week of goodwill, voters across the state and nation had just endured the often vitriolic campaign season.
In some ways, this juxtaposition of a contentious election and a celebration of kindness highlights a deep irony. The election, which saw divisive rhetoric and bitter exchanges, stands in stark contrast to the ideals of kindness. And yet, here we are—celebrating kindness amidst the aftershocks of those harsh debates.
Nebraska Nice vs. the Realities of Election Season
“Nebraska Nice” is a phrase that encapsulates the spirit of friendliness that defines the state. It’s the idea that we go out of our way to lend a hand, smile at strangers, and wave at oncoming cars while driving down country roads. It’s so integral to the culture that, at one point, there were even talks of codifying it as part of the state’s tourism campaign. “Visit Nebraska. Visit Nice.”
But when it comes to politics, “Nebraska Nice” takes on a different tone. During election season, “nice” often gets lost in the noise of mud-slinging and polarization. When voters are asked to choose between candidates and causes, kindness tends to get sidelined in favor of sharper, more pointed arguments. It’s an ironic twist—just when we’re supposed to be kind and neighborly, the political landscape demands our attention and, sometimes, our most unkind words.
Kindness in the Midst of Divisive Times
World Kindness Week, which this year followed immediately after the election, presents a challenge. It’s hard to embrace kindness when the world feels so divided, especially after a season where we were constantly reminded of just how much we disagree. Kindness requires a level of empathy that seems difficult to maintain when we’re in the thick of a political battle.
In moments like these, kindness isn’t about simple politeness or trying to smooth over conflict. True kindness, I believe, requires more. It’s about recognizing our shared humanity despite our differences. It’s easy to be kind to people who think like we do, but can we extend that same kindness to someone who voted differently, or to the stranger who disagrees with our views? Kindness in these moments doesn’t mean ignoring the differences, it means respecting the humanity of those who hold opposing views.
Is Kindness Just for the Seven Days?
It’s easy to dismiss World Kindness Week as a fleeting gesture, a momentary distraction from the larger issues of the day. After all, can we really change anything with a week of kindness? Is this just a week where we pretend everything is fine and everyone is friendly, only to return to business as usual after it ends?
The real question, though, is whether we can take the spirit of kindness and carry it beyond the designated seven days. The world doesn’t stop being divided after November 15th, and kindness can’t just be a once-a-year exercise. If we truly believe in the power of kindness, it has to extend beyond the weeks marked on the calendar. It has to become part of our daily interactions, even when it’s difficult, even when we disagree, and even when we’re faced with people who challenge us.
The Larger Lesson: Being Kind Beyond Politics
What I’m left thinking about after a week that combined political tension with calls for kindness is how we can bridge the gap between the two. How do we ensure that kindness isn’t just something we practice in moments of calm but something that transcends the arguments, the battles, and the heated conversations?
It’s easy to be kind when life is easy. But the true test of kindness is when life is difficult, when we’re faced with decisions that feel like they define us. When we have to choose sides, will we be kind to those who disagree? Will we listen to them with empathy and try to understand, even when we know we won’t change their mind?
Maybe that’s the irony of World Kindness Week. It arrives after the storm of election season, asking us to remember our shared humanity at a time when it’s hardest to do so. But perhaps that’s exactly when we need it the most.
Comments