An opinion piece in yesterday’s paper by columnist Jessica Johnson referenced the need for the Golden Rule, citing Luke 6:31 — Do to others as you would have them do to you, as the verse states.

The coming weeks and months — and years — will likely see much discussion about free speech, “wokeness” and other cultural hot topics.

Let us be blunt in our stance.

Like many Americans, we were raised to hold the Golden Rule in high regard.

The Golden Rule was codified as such in the 17th century by Anglican priests, although the concept itself, known as reciprocity, can be found in sources dating back to ancient Egypt, such as the aforementioned Luke verse.

Even if you weren’t aware of the specific term, though, it is likely that you practice the Golden Rule in your daily life, to a greater or lesser extent.

Free speech is a particularly fraught political subject at the moment, with the left railing against President-elect Trump’s political incorrectness, which they deem “vile,” and the right praising the same, which they deem “calling it like it is.”

It absolutely should not be required, legally, for us to treat one another with respect and decorum.

To do so would be un-American, and this is something that the right has collectively — and correctly — rallied around Trump about.

However, at the same time, we should be wary of making vitriol into a cultural currency.

Seeking to legally enforce the Golden Rule is absolutely a political failing of the left — but liberals feel the need to enforce it due to a perceived moral failing on the right.

Over the last decade or two, in particular, the American drive for independence and individualism has metastasized. It is vogue, now, to speak blasphemies for the sake of getting a reaction. Shock jocks are nothing new, but the vast reach of influencers on social media is, historically speaking.

As Johnson notes, selfishness and narcissism are rampant.

Absolutely, speak your mind. Call it like it is. Be you, unapologetically, without censor.

That is the American way.

But understand that, should you embody rudeness or insult, there will — and there should — be social consequences. Nobody is forced to laugh at your “joke.”

That is also the American way.

We don’t want to get too deep into the weeds, here, as this is territory that is very easy to slip into more or less useless, if interesting, philosophizing.

Suffice to say, we still seek to adhere to the Golden Rule whenever possible. Perhaps it makes us stodgy and old-fashioned — although, what else would you expect from a newspaper? — but treating others with respect and dignity should not become something reviled or othering.

It’s who we used to be, as Americans, and it’s who we should strive to be, still.

Respect costs little, and decency costs less.

Let’s put some polish and shine back on the Golden Rule. Together.