Covington Catholic High, News and Values

The story about the interaction between Covington Catholic High School students and Native American protesters in Washington, D.C. on January 18th has lots of lessons for everyone. Some of those major lessons have to do with news gathering, the general public as news gatherers, media scrutiny, Christian values, tribalism, and the need we seem to have to make our opponents out to be the epitome of evil. That's certainly a lot to handle but handle it we must if we have any hope of moving on from the divisions and hatred that seem to be driving us apart.

I happen to think that it really is time that we have a major discussion about Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms and how they're used as news sources by so many millions of people around the world. It will need to be a difficult discussion that will include concepts of free speech, the common good, etc.

The story about this past weekend's events has become complicated. First there was a video that seemed clear in showing a confrontation and disrespect for indigenous people. Teenagers wearing Make America Great Again hats and shirts jumping up and down, yelling and seeming to be making fun of a Native American protester. Video proves a point, right? It's clear, black and white as they say. Well not so fast. As other video clips appeared, there were other circumstances, other people and groups of protesters involved. Facts began to change relative to the reason and purpose of the confrontation and intervention in the first place. But, and here's the bigger problem, the original information and video had already gone viral with statements of shock, abhorrence, shame, etc.

Because of the divisions in our country and the intolerance of one side for the other, our tribalism if you will, we all took our positions, jumped on Twitter and Facebook and spread the message as we saw it. Hateful things were said about the boys, Republicans, the right, the March for Life, Covington High School, parents and teachers. When some of the story changed, positions took a turn for the same tone against liberals, the left, Native Americans, Black protesters and Democrats.

Now there are legitimate questions about Christian and Catholic values. Also questions about high school students wearing MAGA hats and other paraphernalia at a pro-life rally. Where were chaperones and other adults who had either traveled with these young men or who were interacting with them as part of an organized rally? Where was the media before or during the discussion took off on social media platforms? Who was conducting interviews with the Covington students, the indigenous people, the Black protesters or witnesses to the events? One of the sad lessons here is that we, as members of the general public, are not necessarily great reporters or journalists. The general public hasn't been trained in sourcing, validating or challenging. As passions rise, it is easy to look to validate your own positions or beliefs. It is easy to be shocked and appalled. It is easy to point fingers.

The leaders of our country have helped to give credence to this reality of how we talk about, above and beyond each other. They have encouraged dishonesty in our discussions. The worse thing they have done however is that they, and I mean all of them, have vilified communication and encouraged distrust and misinformation. Clearly there are big challenges ahead for everyone but we have to start by seeking the truth and talking to each other. There really isn't another path as I see it. So let's all figure out some better ways to take on these challenges as well as support each other in the task. This celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his message and values is a good time to reflect and act on those values.