If Americans don’t figure out how to respect each other’s ideas, opinions and perspectives, especially when they differ from one’s own ideology and politics, then we will always be viewed as hypocritical and schizophrenic around the world. How can we expect other nations and their citizens to take us seriously when we don’t even treat our fellow citizens respectfully when we disagree? We promote and preach democracy, freedom of speech, openness, religious freedom, and human rights on the international stage but far too many of us lack the will or maturity to acknowledge and appreciate the fact that our citizenry represents ideas and thoughts that are quite diverse. Our public square is being contaminated by those who possess an inability to disagree without personally attacking people’s character, beliefs, or family members. To make matters worse, we are surrounded by a media environment that has largely lost its journalistic integrity and objectivity. We can’t even rely on news reporting anymore because of the emphasis on sensationalism. We desperately need civility in our public, political, and social discourse, especially in light of the reality that paradigms and demographics are shifting quickly. We will not be able to manage and interpret the breadth of global changes and uncertainties unless we get our own house in order first. America’s capacity to overcome its ugly past has allowed us to build from our diversity as it relates to immigration, cultural experiences, ethnicities, and ideas. We can and must talk.