The Search for Decency

May, 2025

Navigating the challenges of everyday life has turned many into volatile combustibles- highly flammable when exposed to the heat of opposition. Whether political or environmental views, human rights issues, family or fashion opinions, it doesn’t take long before the sparks begin to fly.  In this atmosphere of extreme polarization, does our sense of justice require us to take a stance at the cost of decency?  Theodore Roosevelt, one of the more highly revered presidents, said, “The most practical kind of politics is the politics of decency.” 

Decency, defined as behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality, is one of the least understood terms. The primary reason is that these standards and morals are constantly changing and evolving.   Courts must assess the constitutionality of punishments to ensure they align with contemporary societal views. One only has to look back at life 50 years ago.  Elvis and the Beatles challenged conventional morality and were considered by the older generation a dangerous influence on youth. Then there was the hippie movement, a counterculture lifestyle that wanted to overhaul the American domestic way of life.  Was it a simpler, better existence, devoid of human-interest conflicts? Of course not! There was just a different scale of values with which one interacted.

Being the melting pot of so many cultures, there must be a common denominator that configures our sense of decency, one that does not boast greatness.  Respect, understanding, empathy, and acceptance calibrate our ethical compass. And without this, there would be no moral boundary to protect us from the lowest human behavior- those who think there are no consequences for misconduct and impropriety.

Integrity. Honesty. Kindness.  Keeping these values in mind throughout our daily lives reminds us how challenging it can be to be a “good” person. The distinction between right and wrong is rarely absolute, and universal agreement is unlikely. Each of us bears the responsibility of doing what we believe is the right thing, ultimately making decisions that benefit others or society as a whole, rather than solely personal interests.  This is not only a duty but also a virtue. The real challenge lies in thinking of others while staying true to oneself — a delicate and ongoing balancing act.