Scrolling through social media and watching news outlets these days would have you think that most Americans live on the hard left or the hard right. But do we – really?
I certainly don’t feel a need to be evenly yoked with everyone. I have no idea how my neighbors feel about any political issues. President Trump, ICE, liberal, conservative, and left or right never seem to come up in everyday conversation. I have never seen the everyday folks who share my street wake up each morning eager to fight ideological battles or defend their political identity.
I just see them doing what we all do. Focus on work, family, bills, health, and whether they have enough time and energy to get through the day.
While the loudest voices tend to dominate the conversation, I have never believed they represent the majority. Even when I traveled the globe on behalf of media companies in other countries. People were simply trying to navigate everyday life.
I’ve worked in radio for most of my life, including news/talk operations. I can say that outside of on-air content, no one internally discussed personal opinions. Nowadays, most HR departments require training on avoiding conflict in the workplace by not offering personal views.
Largely because a few insist on doing so.
When did the world change so drastically that we need to be reminded about common courtesy and manners? I am convinced that the majority of us live in a pretty wide, quiet “middle zone.” Not because we couldn’t care less, but because most of our real lives never fit into neat ideological boxes.
People can be passionate about one thing and less so about another. They can support one social issue while strongly disagreeing with another. We can agree or disagree with either or both parties and still care deeply about our nation and communities.
It’s those who create commonality who outweigh the extremes.
Make no mistake – I absolutely have political and religious convictions, and for several I am very passionate. However, I rarely, if ever, share them aloud. Virtue signaling and standing on moral high ground have apparently taken center stage, but constant conflict can be dangerous. It’s truly exhausting and unhealthy.
Studies show that constant stress has direct links to cancer. Life already offers an overabundance of pressure and obligations, and as we get older, added health concerns. It’s odd enough arguing online with strangers (who somehow are on my friends list), defending positions or dealing with tensions. Doing so never makes life better for anyone.
Many in our industry forget that offering opinions can hurt business and personal careers. Just this week, I saw a voiceover talent who depends on others for a living strongly voice personal opinions on social media.
Does he not realize that he risks offending many who have the potential to do business with him? Managers tell everyone the same thing for those reasons.
Please note that throughout this, I offer no personal opinions or partisanship. I only question whether the noise we see and hear lives firmly on the edges rather than in the mainstream middle.
Why define ourselves through a narrow political lens? We are all just parents, children, business owners, workers, family members, neighbors, caregivers, creators, believers, skeptics, and problem-solvers.
When issues hit close to home, like schools, roads, safety, and healthcare, shouldn’t the rest take a backseat? In my mind, practical outcomes for real lives matter most.
The rest is noise.
As members of the media, we all know that amplifying controversy shapes public perception. Let’s face it — what generates ratings and clicks? Voices of reason or extreme opinions? As a result, the political conversation we see every day bends toward conflict.
Perhaps the country is not as divided as it appears. Think about your daily life at work. Most of us quietly coexist, compromise, and collaborate without openly denouncing anyone. Not so much on social media.
My basic needs are simple. Stability, fairness, and the freedom to live my life with my wonderful wife. I am convinced that people want to raise their kids in good schools, earn a living without fear of losing it, and then go home and snuggle up inside their own little cocoon of safety.
There’s a theory of late that we aren’t talking enough. I suggest that maybe — just maybe — we should talk a little less and stop oversharing every little thought we have.
When I grew up, no one shared political opinions or told others who they voted for. You stepped into a booth, pulled the curtain, and made your selection. Before and after that moment, only you knew your thought process. Even my mom and dad didn’t tell each other who they voted for.
In my mind, this constant barrage of outrage only creates more skepticism about anything and everything, including trust in our industry. We all want solutions to everyday issues that affect our nation, cities, and communities. We hope we are smart enough to leave the loud noisemaking to those we elected to take it on.
For me, anything else is little more than political theater and, frankly, I have seen this show before and I’m really tired of it.
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Bob Lawrence writes weekly columns on radio leadership and business. He most recently served as market manager for MacDonald Broadcasting in Saginaw, Michigan. Throughout his career, Bob has held virtually every position in the business over his 40+ year career, from being on-air in Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Francisco to programming legendary stations including KHTR St. Louis, KITS Hot Hits and KIOI (K101) San Francisco to serving as the head of all programming for Saga Communications and working for the Radio Advertising Bureau. Before landing his current role, Bob helped lead Seven Mountains Media’s cluster in Parkersburg, WV/Marietta, OH. He can be reached by email at BGLawrence@me.com.
Bob also honed his research skills over ten years as Senior VP of Operations at Broadcast Architecture, eventually launching his own research company and serving as President/CEO of Pinnacle Media Worldwide for 15 years. Bob spent five years as VP of Programming for Saga Communications before joining New South Radio in Jackson, Mississippi as GM/Market Manager. Prior to joining Seven Mountains Media, Bob served as General Manager for the Radio Advertising Bureau, overseeing its “National Radio Talent System”.
Bob, thank you for so eloquently speaking on behalf of those of us in the not-quite-so-silent majority.