In a recent article on Il-Mument newspaper, I wrote about a current issue that is pestering our society - Respect, or more appropriately the lack thereof. Once a fundamental part of how we interacted, respect is quickly disappearing, especially towards authority figures, elders, and even our peers. This decline is visible everywhere - within families, schools, workplaces, and even in politics, where civility and etiquette seem to have vanished.

Modern technology and social media have surely contributed towards this decline by promoting scepticism and questioning anyone in authority; contributing to a culture that undervalues leadership and ability. Political discussions, which should be based and promote the exchange of ideas, have spiralled downwards towards personal attacks, deepening divisions amongst our people.

Children growing up in this environment are unfortunately learning to be disrespectful, leading to defiance and the weakening of important values like empathy and understanding. In today's digital age, self-expression often takes priority over mutual respect, but if we want a more unified and functional society, restoring respect at every level is crucial.

I believe one key reason for this decline is the widespread mindset of "if you're not with us, you're against us." This attitude discourages open dialogue and creates division. Last week, I attended a vigil marking the seventh anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination. As I stood there, I reflected on her legacy and the strong emotions it still stirs. While many expressed gratitude for her courageous work, I also saw disturbing levels of hatred. Some went beyond condemning her work to suggest that she and her family deserved even worse. This kind of vitriol made me realize just how deeply rooted this problem is in our society.

I consider myself open-minded and value respectful discussion; yet I keep meeting situations underlining a total inability in our country to engage in civil discourse. And that's my worry - the "Us and Them". This mindset cuts across all sectors of society-politics, professions, and social interactions. People seem unwilling to accept that the world is changing, and innovative ideas are emerging. Instead of embracing these differences, many respond with hostility. If someone disagrees, they're not just dismissed-they're demonised, made to feel unwelcome, or even treated like enemies.

In Daphne's case, she was murdered for trying to expose the truth. Whether you agree with her style or everything she wrote, no one deserves to be silenced in such a brutal way.

This is the core problem in our society. When faced with people from diverse backgrounds or ideologies, instead of engaging in respectful dialogue, we resort to threats-against their jobs, families, or lives. We've lost the ability to respect those with differing views. We've forgotten how to have civil conversations and accept diversity of opinion.

As a result, we're closing ourselves off, becoming less willing to listen to alternative perspectives. This lack of respect for different opinions is not only damaging but is also hindering our growth as a society. We are consciously accepting to still be stuck in the past and not take the courageous leap towards an open society.

It's time we remember that respect, even in disagreement, is vital for any community to thrive.

Nicole Portelli - MZPN General Secretary and Attard PN Local Councillor