This past week, I’ve made several observations that make me genuinely curious to know a bit more about what’s the intent behind another’s actions. Twice this week, vehicles (maybe the same one) drove past my house and men shouted “Trump!” out the window.

I think they were yelling at my sign? My sign that says the word “Vote” followed by a name that happens to not be Trump. Curious to know, what’s the point of that?

I also read the opinion page of the Recorder and note a variety of opinions each day, some I agree with, some I don’t, and some I genuinely don’t understand. Last week had me feeling the latter a few times. In an Aug. 26 letter, ”Go Trump” the writer states, “He will also make liberals cry again. Go, Trump!” Curious to know understand why the writer would want to make other people cry?

Another one, on Aug. 27 [“Peaceful standouts met with bullying by Harris supporters”] at first made sense. No one should be yelling at anyone else’s demonstration of their right to free speech, but then the letter writer starts name-calling opposing people as “sensitive,” “tattletale ‘Karens.’” Curious as to what the point is of the name-calling?

All of these together seem aggressive and provocative responses, in some cases to inanimate objects, other times to other humans.

I taught middle/high school for 20 years, and I’m also raising three young sons, and so over the years I have had many conversations about conflict and empathy to support others in becoming better human beings. My first goal is often seeking an understanding of why others may have said and done what they have. And so, I ask these three (or four?) individuals, why?

Jessica Farwell

Greenfield