When I turned on the news a few weeks ago, I was appalled to see the famed neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson apologizing for a horribly controversial and poorly considered comment that he made about gay marriage. It is extremely commendable that the majority of JC students have held themselves above the horrible example set for us, exemplified by Carson’s comments.

In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Carson said, “It’s a well-established fundamental pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA [North American Man/Boy Love Association], be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn’t matter what they are, they don’t get to change the definition [of marriage].”

These kind of comments come to light so frequently that it is almost what we’ve come to expect from public figures. Saying that conception illegitimizes rape or 47 percent of Americans are lazy, is horrendous and shocking but has become all too commonplace in the political and public world.

There has been a breakdown in communication in our American system. Only the extremes of political correctness seem to exist. People either get offended at every negative or even indifferent comment, or they don’t filter any of their statements to make sure that it meets the standards of basic human respect.

Not everyone needs to be perfectly polite and politically correct. When having intense debates and discussions, agreements about what is being said and how it is said are undoubtedly hard to come by.

However, in my experience JC students accept this fact but never lose their sense of dignity or their respect for their peers. Interactions between students in class and elsewhere throughout the school are characterized with politeness and courtesy.

For example, in a senior AP Government and Politics class an official debate on gay marriage was held, and despite the deeply contrasting views, no one was called a bigot or a heathen. Each side was able to make their point without any personal attacks.

It’s terrible that JC students should be commended on being better than a lot of public figures. The example being set by those figures, people whom many regard as heroes or people to look up to, is not one that should be exemplified. I’m proud to be part of a community that sets itself above this. I look forward to seeing JC students setting the example, an example I know will be much better than that being set currently.

Bryan Doherty is an Opinion Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.