(The following editorial was originally published in The Cadillac News.)
Spend enough time on social media, and it can start to feel like everyone is angry.
Scroll through the comments on a local issue, and you might see strong opinions, sharp criticism and sometimes outright hostility. It can leave the impression that our community is divided, frustrated and constantly at odds with one another.
But that really isn’t a fair picture.
The loudest voices aren’t always the majority.
In fact, most of the people in our community are thoughtful, reasonable and deeply invested in making this place better. They care about their neighbors. They want safe schools, strong local businesses, responsible government and a community they can be proud to call home.
They may not always agree on how to get there. But they share more common ground than the online conversations would suggest.
One of the challenges of modern communication is that a small number of voices can dominate the conversation. Social media platforms are designed to amplify strong reactions. Posts that spark outrage, fear or frustration tend to travel further and faster than calm, measured discussion. That doesn’t mean those opinions represent most people. It simply means they are more visible.
We see this firsthand in our work at the Cadillac News.
There have been many times when we have written a story that included verified facts and comments from multiple sides of an issue. After publication, we’ve heard from readers on both sides who believed the article was biased against them. That reaction doesn’t necessarily mean the reporting was unfair. Often, it reflects how strongly people feel about an issue — and how easy it is to assume that disagreement equals bias. Also, some are trying to drown out others’ opinions.
The reality is that most community members aren’t posting online every day. They’re working. Raising families. Volunteering. Coaching youth sports. Serving on boards. Running small businesses. Taking care of neighbors.
They are engaged in the quiet, steady work that keeps a community functioning.
And they are the true majority.
That’s why it’s important not to confuse noise with consensus.
Another place where this dynamic shows up is at public meetings.
Local governments, school boards and other public bodies set aside time for public comment because they want to hear directly from residents. It is one of the most important opportunities citizens have to participate in local decision-making. Yet many people choose not to speak, even when they have something valuable to contribute.
Why?
Often, it’s not because they don’t care. It’s because they’re uneasy about the tone of the conversation.
We have all seen meetings where emotions run high and comments are delivered with anger or frustration. Passion about an issue is understandable. These decisions affect our families, our schools and our tax dollars. But when comments become heated, it can discourage others from stepping forward. People who might otherwise share thoughtful perspectives decide to stay seated, worried about being criticized, challenged or drawn into conflict.
That hesitation is understandable — but it comes at a cost.
We have all seen meetings where emotions run high and comments are delivered with anger or frustration. Passion about an issue is understandable. These decisions affect our families, our schools and our tax dollars. But when comments become heated, it can discourage others from stepping forward. People who might otherwise share thoughtful perspectives decide to stay seated, worried about being criticized, challenged or drawn into conflict.
That hesitation is understandable — but it comes at a cost. And when more people step forward, our community benefits from a broader, more balanced conversation.
Local journalism plays a role in that process. Our responsibility is not to amplify the loudest voices, but to reflect the full community. That includes the perspectives of those who speak up publicly and those who quietly contribute every day. It is a challenge to get some perspectives because some in the community are afraid of being confronted in a hostile manner by someone who disagrees.
We believe the strength of this community lies not in the volume of its disagreements, but in the willingness of its people to work through them together.
The next time an issue sparks strong reactions online — or emotions run high at a public meeting — it may be worth remembering that what we see and hear in the moment is only part of the conversation.
Most people are still willing to listen.
Most people are still willing to work together.
And most people still care deeply about this community and its future.
They may not always be the loudest voices.
But they are the majority.
And our community is strongest when those voices feel confident enough to speak—and respectful enough to listen.
That is the heart of civil discourse.
Spend enough time on social media, and it can start to feel like everyone is angry.
Scroll through the comments on a local issue, and you might see strong opinions, sharp criticism and sometimes outright hostility. It can leave the impression that our community is divided, frustrated and constantly at odds with one another.
But that really isn’t a fair picture.
The loudest voices aren’t always the majority.
In fact, most of the people in our community are thoughtful, reasonable and deeply invested in making this place better. They care about their neighbors. They want safe schools, strong local businesses, responsible government and a community they can be proud to call home.
They may not always agree on how to get there. But they share more common ground than the online conversations would suggest.
One of the challenges of modern communication is that a small number of voices can dominate the conversation. Social media platforms are designed to amplify strong reactions. Posts that spark outrage, fear or frustration tend to travel further and faster than calm, measured discussion. That doesn’t mean those opinions represent most people. It simply means they are more visible.
We see this firsthand in our work at the Cadillac News.
There have been many times when we have written a story that included verified facts and comments from multiple sides of an issue. After publication, we’ve heard from readers on both sides who believed the article was biased against them. That reaction doesn’t necessarily mean the reporting was unfair. Often, it reflects how strongly people feel about an issue — and how easy it is to assume that disagreement equals bias. Also, some are trying to drown out others’ opinions.
The reality is that most community members aren’t posting online every day. They’re working. Raising families. Volunteering. Coaching youth sports. Serving on boards. Running small businesses. Taking care of neighbors.
They are engaged in the quiet, steady work that keeps a community functioning.
And they are the true majority.
That’s why it’s important not to confuse noise with consensus.
Another place where this dynamic shows up is at public meetings.
Local governments, school boards and other public bodies set aside time for public comment because they want to hear directly from residents. It is one of the most important opportunities citizens have to participate in local decision-making. Yet many people choose not to speak, even when they have something valuable to contribute.
Why?
Often, it’s not because they don’t care. It’s because they’re uneasy about the tone of the conversation.
We have all seen meetings where emotions run high and comments are delivered with anger or frustration. Passion about an issue is understandable. These decisions affect our families, our schools and our tax dollars. But when comments become heated, it can discourage others from stepping forward. People who might otherwise share thoughtful perspectives decide to stay seated, worried about being criticized, challenged or drawn into conflict.
That hesitation is understandable — but it comes at a cost.
We have all seen meetings where emotions run high and comments are delivered with anger or frustration. Passion about an issue is understandable. These decisions affect our families, our schools and our tax dollars. But when comments become heated, it can discourage others from stepping forward. People who might otherwise share thoughtful perspectives decide to stay seated, worried about being criticized, challenged or drawn into conflict.
That hesitation is understandable — but it comes at a cost. And when more people step forward, our community benefits from a broader, more balanced conversation.
Local journalism plays a role in that process. Our responsibility is not to amplify the loudest voices, but to reflect the full community. That includes the perspectives of those who speak up publicly and those who quietly contribute every day. It is a challenge to get some perspectives because some in the community are afraid of being confronted in a hostile manner by someone who disagrees.
We believe the strength of this community lies not in the volume of its disagreements, but in the willingness of its people to work through them together.
The next time an issue sparks strong reactions online — or emotions run high at a public meeting — it may be worth remembering that what we see and hear in the moment is only part of the conversation.
Most people are still willing to listen.
Most people are still willing to work together.
And most people still care deeply about this community and its future.
They may not always be the loudest voices.
But they are the majority.
And our community is strongest when those voices feel confident enough to speak—and respectful enough to listen.
That is the heart of civil discourse.
