Wake Forest civic discourse is something I think about often — especially late at night, when the noise of the day fades and what remains is love for this community. It’s late, and I’ve been thinking about my family, my town, and my country — about how much I love this place and the people who make it home.
Lately, we’ve seen things that don’t reflect the best of who we are: intimidation, harassment, racism, and dehumanization, sometimes hiding behind screens or anonymous websites, a pattern documented across communities nationwide. That isn’t the Wake Forest I know. It’s not who we are — and it’s not who we should ever become.
Why Wake Forest Civic Discourse Matters
When Wake Forest civic discourse breaks down, the consequences reach every corner of our town — from Town Hall meetings to neighborhood gatherings, from our schools to our local businesses. The tone we set in public conversation shapes the kind of community we build together. If that tone turns cruel or dismissive, we risk losing the trust that holds us together.
We can’t look the other way. We should call it out when we see it — calmly, firmly, and without hate. Silence only gives darkness more room to grow. The light we carry, the decency and courage we show, can still guide this community forward.
Healthy Wake Forest civic discourse means we can disagree without dehumanizing one another. It means engaging with different perspectives honestly and openly, while still treating our neighbors with dignity. Our town deserves leaders and residents who model that standard — in person and online.
If you care about the future of Wake Forest, consider this an open call: speak up for decency, reject intimidation wherever you see it, and help rebuild a culture of respectful community engagement. We owe that to one another, and to the town we love. The future of Wake Forest depends on it.
Tom Baker IV is the publisher of Wake Forest Matters, Wake Forest’s only independent local newsroom. A Wake Forest native, Navy veteran, and intelligence professional, Tom launched Wake Forest Matters to bring serious accountability journalism to his hometown. Tips and story ideas: publisher@wakeforestmatters.com