Boise State scholar: 'You don't have to respect their position, but every human has dignity.'

“I argue that we should think of democracy as a muscle that needs daily exercise,” said Martin. “Every time we listen to one another … every time we ask hard questions … every time we try to understand how institutions functions, we are keeping that muscle strong. And when it weakens, the very foundation of our public life feels fragile.”And even those we oppose the most still have a capacity for grace. “You don’t have to respect someone else’s position, but you have to always remember that every human has dignity. “Democracy means letting someone shout at the top of their lungs for a position that you would spend your whole life arguing against, at the top of your own.”Find reporter George Prentice @georgeprenCopyright 2025 Boise State Public Radio