Only one issue poses a greater threat to American democracy than racial discord. Only one issue poses a greater threat to the well-being of every American than does racial discord.

No. The issue is not politics, per se. Blame does not lie exclusively with Democrats or Republicans. The best way, I believe, for me to describe the threat is with a current example. You can judge its relevance and meaning for yourself.

Our example includes two protagonists. Wikipedia introduces them as follows:

Donna Lease Brazile (born December 15, 1959) is an American political strategist, campaign manager and political analyst who served twice as acting Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). She is currently a Fox News contributor, and was previously a CNN contributor until her resignation in October 2016, after leaking CNN's debate questions to Hillary Clinton's campaign in the 2016 United States presidential election.

Tammy K. Bruce (born August 20, 1962) is a conservative American radio host, author, and political commentator. Earlier she had been president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women. She is currently an on-air contributor to Fox News Channel and host of Get Tammy Bruce on Fox Nation.

I believe we safely can conclude that both ladies are accomplished, intelligent, educated, high-profile, and imbued with clout. Unfortunately, they exemplify the threat of most concern to me. Listen to their discourse (and I use the term loosely) that followed the Republican National Convention, and you will know why.

On the first night of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Fox and Friends television host, Brian Kilmeade, interviewed Donna Brazile and Tammy Bruce together. To really appreciate the “gory details” you should view the video. There is no way that I can provide more than a glimpse of the bloodbath.

Ms. Bruce began one segment with a defense of President Trump. Among other things, she said that he has sacrificed “… everything as has his family to change this nation and get her back on her feet so we as Americans can live lives that best suit us.” Bruce lamented that “no Democrat has spoken out” about the violent demonstrations that ravaged United States cities.

Ms. Brazile countered “… sounds like I will never be an American in your world. Because after 400 years, my family cannot walk out of the house without fearing violence.”

Ms. Bruce defended her comment, replying “No one is saying that!” To which Brazile countered, “Yes, you are. What you do is ignore the pains of people who are hurting, you ignore the pains of people who just want to breathe.” When Bruce again tried to clarify, Brazile interrupted, remarking “Don’t be so condescending and patronizing! To tell me that I cannot tell my story. Tammy, the story of people who are struggling to live and breathe are just as important as the story of one man.”

Exasperated, Bruce asserted, “She doesn’t want to answer” to which the incensed Brazile replied, “It’s offensive when you say that.”

Attempting to get an answer out of Ms Bruce, Kilmeade asked her: “Did you ignore 400 years?” but Ms Brazile instead quickly interjected “Yes, she did!” and added “She’s ignoring it because they don’t see it.” Brazile then continued, “Tammy, I see it every day. Brian, you got me up this morning to have me listen to this diatribe from someone who does not live my existence and does not recognize my existence. You do not recognize my existence, Tammy.” Bruce defended herself with “And you haven’t recognized mine or anyone else’s. We’re all at the same table as Americans.”

This example involves highly political characters. But, as noted from the start, the issue is infinitely more important than politics. The issue, of course, is communication, in general, and problem solving communication, in particular. The principal characters in the drama could not be more capable of civil discourse. In theory, at least, they are communication experts who eminently should be able to employ discourse to resolve disagreement. Their use of language unequivocally reveals discourse as a weapon. The strategy truly is to obfuscate, inundate, and intimidate—in this case, with Donna Brazile being the major obfuscator, inundator, and intimidator. I remind you that you need to see the video to appreciate that. You also might be interested to read what Brazile said on March 18, 2019 entitled, “Donna Brazile: Why I am excited to join Fox News and take part in a civil - and sensible – debate.”

The truth is that I don’t care who you believe is the major or minor perpetrator in the aforementioned mixed martial arts contest. My concern is that the combatants were professional communicators and women. You might jump on me (as in mixed martial arts) for the latter, but do a reality check and you will find incontrovertible proof that women USUALLY are more civil and more anger-restrained than men. If professional communicator women cannot engage in rational verbal problem solving, what is the chance for androgen-infused, alpha male (or aspiring alpha males) to do so?

Let me be clear: women are not responsible for men. Females are responsible for their own civility and verbal problem solving, and so are males. Whenever someone on "our side" of either sex uses obfuscation, inundation, or intimidation to win a point, I hope we can refrain from encouraging them. Instead, we need to promote honest, rational problem solving that offers a chance to reach consensus that improves the well-being of all Americans.

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