Letter to the Editor: Displays of emotion are politically ineffective

Published 10:30 am Thursday, March 19, 2026

I disdain civil disobedience. It is assumed to be effective from the Civil Rights era, however their success at that time resulted from the issue being suspended directly from universal law and Christian morals.

Today, civil disobedience is suspended only from political opinion. Protests are completely ineffective other than to incite others in opinion. As evidence, note the current violence in liberal cities born entirely from frustration, frustration born of futility. I disdain my own opinions when not born of reason.

Students should not be encouraged to express their opinions, rather they should be guided toward reflective reasoning and research of facts. Mature citizens also should shelve their signs, avoiding click bait slogans, and develop reasoned statements.

The students and citizens who demonstrate prowess in organizing protests and marches, do not necessarily become strong effective civic leaders. It is the ability to organize and focus one’s thoughts, and develop rational constructive strategic plans, rather than displays of emotive opinion, that indicates the virtues of temperance and prudence.

I am not aware if there is a curriculum in schools for civics that includes books such as “A Theory of Justice” by John Rawls, which although based on liberal idealism, Justice as theory needs to be understood as idealistic. Guided study will assist students to develop rational reasoning, fortitude, and understand the virtue of justice beyond public protests.

Jerome Loran

Carbonado