McConnell freezing episodes are frightening, not funny. Enough with the social media memes

It's happened again. During a press conference Wednesday, Aug. 30, Mitch McConnell froze at the podium for a concerning 30 seconds. This comes after just last month on July 26, the senator suddenly stopped speaking and stood silently for 28 seconds before being escorted away from a lectern by his Republican colleagues.

Meanwhile, people on social media who don't like McConnell's politics cannot contain themselves. Once again those frightening moments for the Kentucky senator are being used in memes and reels that are supposed to be funny. He's even being called "Glitch McConnell."

Is this who we have become?

I am extremely uncomfortable with minimizing what appears to be serious health episodes for Sen. McConnell for a laugh. Regardless of whether or not you disagree with the senator's politics, he is still a fellow human being. America has somehow allowed divisive politics to mean that it’s OK to reduce those we disagree with to caricature villains. We think we can treat the opposition as less than human. That's not OK.

I understand some of McConnell's political maneuverings are unpopular for some. I’m not here to deny or contradict this, but that should not give anyone permission to degrade his humanity.

Gerth: Gerth: Is it time for Sen. Mitch McConnell to step aside?

It’s hypocritical. How do we move forward in solutions for a more equitable society when we cannot even live up to the task ourselves? We are all human beings. We watched Donald Trump mock a disabled reporter, regularly reduce women to 1-10 rankings and disparage marginalized people. Some Americans were horrified by this behavior.

We can't have it both ways.

I teach my children that they are responsible for their own behavior. This includes their responses to other people’s behavior. If it is OK to be cruel because someone “deserves it,” where does the line get drawn? Who gets to decide who deserves dignity? Who deserves kindness?  Who deserves grace?

We all deserve dignity. We all deserve basic kindness. We all deserve grace and your behavior should not dictate my own. I choose to behave in a way that aligns with my value set regardless of yours. Period. There is no pass given for meanness because I don’t like you or because you don't agree with me. I am responsible for my own behavior regardless of yours. I am kind because I value kindness not because I think you are deserving.

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Love him or hate him, Mitch McConnell is the longest-serving Senate party leader. His window may be closing but he has chosen to serve his country in politics for as long as he can. I’m not here to defend that choice. I am here to say regardless of what happens to him in the public eye, remember to scrutinize what matters - his contribution to American politics and public policy. There is plenty to mine there.

Social media plays that use his medical frailties as the butt of jokes are beyond distasteful, and it undermines the important work that must be done to lift marginalized voices and create a more equitable society.

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is the opinion editor. She can be reached via email at BFeldkamp@Gannett.com or on social media @WriterBonnie.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: McConnell freezing memes aren't funny. Criticize politics, not health