Civility

A recurring theme here will be how we can bring more civility into our conversations, especially regarding difficult or controversial subjects.  I pointed you to the Red/Blue Project as an example of an effort underway to get us to take a hard look at how we view people who have points of view different than our own.

We have had a divisive little issue here in Kansas you might have heard a bit about.  It involves the teaching of evolution and/or intelligent design in our classrooms.  It stirs people up here for sure.  Just today, a state association of science teachers jumped into the debate with both feet.

I also found this great radio commentary from Kansas Public Radio I want to share with you.  (Scroll down to the headline - "Teachers and Classroom Controversy)  It's from a teacher who wants to make sure his students really listen to the hardcore believers of all subjects.  He is right in the middle of this debate and I wish his point of view would get some attention.

We all know what the basic problem is when it comes to controversy.  The hardcore believers are the most committed and usually the loudest.  The great majority of people who are perhaps no less passionate about issues but perhaps not as dedicated leave the debate to the others.  We need to all engage and become involved in issues that mean something to us.  We have to listen and we have to be willing to put ourselves out there a bit and share ideas.

That is what real citizenship is all about.

Comments

[Jeff Risley]

You're right. And the most important word in your post, IMHO, is "listen." We're a nation of talkers. People feel to be heard they should just talk more or more loudly. It's ingrained in us at an early age. We teach speech in school, but why not listening? Until people change their personal behavior to become better empathetic listeners, we're doomed to squabbling. My suggestion -- implement emotional intelligence courses in every school in America, starting with 1st grade and continuing through 12th.