FIGHTING WHAT?

Conflict resolution. Ouch. For those of you unskilled in such area, please do not quit reading. For those of you believing you have already thoroughly mastered the art, also continue on. News flash, my friends: I have yet to see a Ph.D. awarded for said personal proficiency.

There are those who believe they are masters in this area. However, we have each known persons whose mastery methods include redirecting responsibility, assigning blame, or rewriting history in order to negate their individual role in the existing conflict. For them to assume they are “masters” is a fallacy indeed. (Note: See Pelosi, N.)

We have potential to learn from our President’s example. Love ‘em or hate ‘em (or recognize that either one is most likely, currently based on an insufficient track record combined with strong emotion), witness Obama’s visit today to South Bend, Indiana, speaking at the University of Notre Dame. For the record, those of us not active in Catholicism should probably refrain from entering the debate. The appropriateness of his appearance - and whether an abortion advocate is qualified for good standing in a religious institution whose international headquarters preaches otherwise - seems to accentuate a developing paradox within the American Catholic church. There seems to exist an intra-Catholic struggle - and an intra-Protestant struggle - in regard to how accommodating the church should be in regard to secular American culture. The invitation to Obama is perceived by many to be accommodating.

Yet in deference to Obama, he plans to address the controversial invite. He will not ignore the friction nor attempt to manipulate his audience into believing something he is not (in this case, “pro-life”). He will engage in an honorable method of conflict resolution, which espouses the idea of discussing conflict with respect to persons who feel differently than he. According to White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs (who himself has mastered the word “uhhh” since January), “I think the President is somebody who has taught in a university setting, would understand that this is exactly the type of give and take that's had on college campuses all over the country." Gibbs stated that he expects Obama to address the dissension in regard to his own presence.

Consequently, if Obama engages in a process that allows for the expression of respectful disagreement and discussion, if he acknowledges his role in the conflict, and if he works to promote further, healthy dialogue, then he has modeled for each of us an appropriate means of conflict resolution, leading to growth and greater understanding. Any clandestine goal that works more to “contain and forget” would be less than honorable - and more related to image than effective leadership.

Granted, containing and forgetting would be easier methodology. So would redirecting responsibility, assigning blame, and rewriting history... even when we do it ourselves. Note that “easy” is not necessarily wise... no matter if you are President or have that Ph.D.

AR