The Dignity Index

Where do you fall?

I’m going to sidestep—for the most part—a discussion of politics here. I like to write about American history and culture, the focus of my historical fiction novels as well. So stay with me as I take a look at something called The Dignity Index, a tool that claims to measure the quality of our discourse, even beyond the political divide in America.

Our ability to respect those whose opinions differ from our own has fractured. (I hope not beyond repair.) Not news to most people. All it takes is a few minutes on social media, cable news, or talk radio to make this point. As a result, our American culture of civility toward one another is suffering…badly, in my opinion.

It’s fine to be passionate about our beliefs and committed to seeking change when necessary. That’s always been the American way. Diversity of thought makes us strong and innovative.

But the art of civil discourse is being lost across the country. The sense of shared community—the glue that binds a free society together—is threatening to crumble. Families and friendships are being torn apart, when not long ago we would’ve shaken hands and agreed to disagree.

Rather than risk further personal loss, many of us on both sides of the political divide choose to remain silent, keeping our convictions to ourselves even as our relationships—and perhaps our own sense of dignity—suffer.

A few days ago, while discussing flagpoles with a good friend—we’re about to put one up—she told me she’d rather not fly an American flag. Not long before that, another casual friend in the neighborhood said she was glad Charlie Kirk was assassinated.

Hard to believe. Deserves the worst score on the Index.

Neither conversation ended our friendship. But both reminded me how quickly political differences can become personal judgments. Instead of debating ideas, we’re increasingly tempted to question one another’s motives, values, and even identity. That’s a dangerous place for any society to find itself.

In both cases, I held my tongue (as best I could) even though these friends seemed to think nothing of dismissing my opinions. Call me a coward? Maybe…but I hope not.

My love for them is more important than engaging in heated arguments, where polite discussion is dismissed in favor of venting…where winning matters more than understanding the person across the table…and where differences of opinion become personal judgments.

And if I’m being honest, behind closed doors I too find myself slipping at times into judgment of people’s motives, values, and even identities.

So what about this Dignity Index? Is it a viable tool to help reverse the erosion of respectful discourse?

Developed by an organization called Dignity.US (with input from experts in conflict resolution), the Dignity Index is a nonpartisan framework designed to evaluate how people speak to one another during disagreement, especially in politics. It does not measure whether a statement is true or false, or whether you agree with it. Instead, it measures whether the language expresses dignity or contempt.

The Index uses an eight-point scale:

Score Description

1 Dehumanizes the other side; calls for or approves violence.

2 Portrays the other side as evil or an existential threat: “us or them.”

3 Attacks other side’s moral character, casting “us” as good and “them” as bad.

4 Mocks or dismisses the other side as inferior or not belonging.

5 Recognizes the other side’s right to be heard; treats them with respect.

6 Engages with the other side; searches for shared values and interests.

7 Engages even over values and interests they don’t share; is open to admitting mistakes and changing one’s mind.

8 Recognizes inherent worth of everyone; treats them with dignity.

Attacking people as “evil” and claiming they are out to destroy America might earn a 2 because it portrays the other side as morally corrupt and an existential threat. Personal attacks on someone’s character or motives would more likely fall around a 3.

But language that acknowledges the other side’s right to be heard moves into the dignity side of the scale—a 5 or higher.

There’s no adding or subtracting points here. Rather, you compare the language against detailed descriptions for each of the eight levels and assign the single score that best represents the overall communication.

This Index was designed to score the language of others—like politicians, public figures, organizations, even friends and family members. But perhaps its most consequential use is as a tool for self-examination.

It’s a mirror for measuring our own language.

Are you willing to sneak a peek at that reflection?