Brushing Away Misinformation

“You all right? I’m almost finished with this part, then it’s the brushing and flossing and Dr. Wells will see you,” she said. “Do you want the fluoride or paste? We’ve got cinnamon, peppermint, and strawberry.” 

The cleaning continued. The forceful flossing jammed into my gums. More blood. Spitting. Swishing with Listerine. A quick look and handshake from the dentist. 

Driving to work, I thought of her comment. How come I hadn’t heard that the extent of the government’s hurricane relief effort was giving out $750 to victims? It didn’t seem right. In fact, it struck me as suspect the moment she said it. And why blame Kamala—she’s not the President. Maybe it was some conspiracy theory on the right. But what was I to do? Challenge her while she hovered over me with sharp tools, good-naturedly attacking my mouth? Plus, it’s in my nature—a Southern trait if not an American one—to offer a warm nod or smile while internally rejecting a neighbor’s statement.

Afterward, I looked it up and learned it was debunked misinformation. 

A few weeks later, on Wednesday, November 6, the morning after the election, I drove to the eye doctor. Groggy, stunned, afraid for the days and years ahead.

I imagined my conversation with the ophthalmologist. I knew neither of us would broach the news. As if it hadn’t happened. I had the sense we, collectively, would tread lightly in our daily interactions, an invisible elephant in every room. On occasion, among those who bemoan the outcome, someone would signal their position and we would find common ground. A shared sense of disappointment and dread. We might crave this connection, but when found, it would still fail to delight. 

It occurred to me that this is, perhaps, how it would go. All of us would self-suppress our voices and fears. At a certain point (after the inauguration? in half a year?) to be outspoken and draw attention may be to invite vitriol and danger at the hands of fellow citizens or by the state. Just look at Elon Musks’s X feed. Actually, don’t. But is Musk not, now, the state? Free speech wouldn’t simply be cracked down on, but we ourselves would shut down, turn inward, and grow silent as liberties were degraded and stripped. Now, progress would be a worsening, a step-by-step breakdown of civility. 

We have invited the great dismantling. The resulting condition of our union, its heralded separation of powers, and its sacred, albeit imperfect, institutions remains to be seen. The intention to disrupt and reshape our government and society, though, is clear.

But, with courage, those who dissent can work to cede little ground, can withhold permission to undo our hard-earned rights and freedoms. How strange that across the political spectrum, all parties and citizens fancy themselves the sole actors bent on preserving freedom.

Back in the parking lot after my dental appointment, I had looked at my teeth and gums in the rearview and thought, This is as good and clean as they will ever be. So I allowed myself to enjoy the moment and smile. But they will stay clean only for a while. They are—not unlike the American experiment itself, it seems—in a protracted state of yellowing wear, subject to exposure at the very root.