The road to harmony is never paved with bitterness, anger, resentment, revenge or hate. Instead it is paved with a willingness to accept another’s view point even while in total disagreement, with respect and dignity for that person’s human right to free expression.

In a world swirling in conflicting ideologies and confusion over the merging of different cultures of expanding diversity, finding the road to harmony is a global challenge.

One of the most significant events in recent history that has propelled the need for a better understanding of other cultures has been the massive pilgrimage of people willing to put their lives at risk to seek a place where they can live in peace and be accepted as human beings entitled to respect, freedom, and justice.

The struggle to achieve what should be a mandated right for all people continues in many countries, with the plight for people in some jurisdictions amounting to nothing short of daily hardship and suffering, with escape their only source of hope.

Thousands have perished in precarious ocean crossings in seeking a life away from tyranny and dictatorial regimes.

Even more ironic is that in some countries where justice and freedom for all is supposed to be a constitutional right there are some who are blinded by bitter hatred and prejudice and feel justified in depriving others of that human right through unspeakable acts of pure terror.

Good people throughout the world from all cultures openly condemn those who use hatred and bitterness as tools to spread fear by harming and often killing innocent people. It is a problem that even the United Nations seems powerless in trying to stamp out.

The lone wolf syndrome where someone appears to be normal, but sweltering inside, is one of pure hatred and this desire to inflict harm remains difficult to spot before in most cases it is too late.

Outside of terrorism in this new age of modern cyberspace communication, verbal clashes — especially in the political arena — have caused considerable impact wherever badly chosen words are tossed about without a second thought when tempers overheat on a sensitive issue. An example of this is what is taking place in America currently, before the transition of power through an inauguration ceremony scheduled for Friday, when Donald Trump replaces Barack Obama as the new Commander in Chief.

President-elect Trump responded to a claim by outstanding civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis that he did not consider Trump’s victory legitimate because of the election being tampered with by Russia. When Trump decided to attack Lewis on Twitter he touched a nerve with other Democrats and a number of commentators. Some felt Trump was causing further division when he suggested that Lewis should concentrate on his district, which he claimed was in a terrible state.

Trump even went as far as alluding to Lewis as all words and no action. Badly chosen words, since Lewis marched for rights and freedom during the Selma protest back in 1965 and was badly beaten in the process, suffering a fractured skull.

Once again, a poor choice of words during a period when the mood over the inauguration is terribly mixed with a number of Democrats now joining Lewis in boycotting the ceremony. Apart from that, there are a number of protests planned during this event. With America’s history of racial issues, attempting to belittle Congressman Lewis was what most would say crossed the line for an incoming president. Another important factor is that we are reminded that leaders should carefully weigh words on sensitive issues to avoid negative reactions that detract from focusing on the issues at hand.

The right to free speech also carries the responsibility to think carefully before making statements that hold the potential to incite, rather that close the gap of misunderstanding. Here in Bermuda, there are strong differences of opinion on a number of issues and often our political leaders engage in heated exchanges that have each side digging in without a willingness to merge their talents for the good of the country. That is troubling to many Bermudians, who see political divisiveness as the root threat to further progress.

Of course, there are different viewpoints on that assessment, but the bottom line remains that our leaders must place Bermuda first, and that any government of the day will be required to serve the people first, putting political party allegiance in second place.

That is what most Bermudians from all walks of life want. Bermuda will progress best when our leaders are seen to be collectively building a road to harmony, with commonsense co-operation at a higher level, dedication to protecting values such as respect, decency, honesty and a willingness to discuss any controversial matter in a manner that preserves those qualities, but will also be in the best interest of all Bermudians.

With an election year upon us there will be many disagreements, which is a crucial element in any democracy, but through it all the Bermudian people must be first on the agenda if further progress is to become reality.