From Politics and Business to Our Personal Life . . . Civility is certainly not a new issue and it is something that involves both language and behavior. In fact, every generation has had concerns about civility. Perhaps it is more pertinent today because uncivil behavior (or the lack of civility) has been humored and allowed for too long and gets too much attention from the media and television programming. What if uncivil behavior received no or little attention (i.e., it was ignored or given that disapproving “look”) and civil behavior received approving smiles, accolades, and appreciation? Isn’t it natural for people to act in the way that gains for them the most attention?
Admittedly there are and always will be those who love behaving inappropriately or being a bully; for some strange reason it gives them joy. Feeding this behavior is like adding kindling to a fire. But what if you ignored the behavior? Obviously, this is easier said than done. However, the one who stays in control builds stronger character and is the one that is admired.
Recent media headlines (“Bushes, Obamas Show How to Give Civility a Chance,” The Arizona Republic, January 23, 2009) and letters to the editor (“Civility Gone From Public Discourse,” submitted by Aila Vorhies, of Goodyear, Arizona, The Arizona Republic, January 27, 2009) are putting the issue of civility right back in the forefront.
The good news is that there are really good people in our society who care, who are civil and respectful, and who practice the golden rule. So let’s not let the bad behavior of an individual (or of a group) override the recognition of good civil behavior. Thus the focus of this blog: There are movements and campaigns afoot to “right” bad behavior and to encourage respectful civil behavior. For example, look what happened recently in South Pasadena, California:
A 14-year-old South Pasadena student, McKay Hatch, started a No Cussing Club at his junior high school because many kids at his school would cuss and use dirty language all the time. As a result of his courage to take a stand, the city of South Pasadena took notice and designated the first week of March as “No Cussing Week.” As more and more students started to share his goal, student Hatch started a website at www.nocussing.com. This took courage and determination on their part. Schools, such as Thompson Ranch Elementary School (El Mirage, Arizona), has a reward systems in place whereby students who exemplify respect and kindness are given special recognition by posting their name on their Paw Power white board in the school’s lobby. Wouldn’t it be great if these were the stories that received the most attention in the media?
In similar fashion, the city of Ottawa (Canada) has designated the week of February 16 to 22, 2009, as “Kindness Week.” For this special week, the city has asked the people of Ottawa to “Choose to Be Kind” and they offer an opportunity on their website for their citizens to share examples of the kindness that they observe or experience. Visit www.kindottawa.ca to learn more.
Did you know that February is “National Act of Kindness Month”? I am not sure how it started, but I do recall an article in a past issue of Oprah magazine offering tips. And, August is “National Win with Civility Month.” Regardless of the month, what is important is what people are doing to encourage and support civility.
There is an abundance of written material, books, articles, and proclamations that focus on civility, rudeness, and bad behavior. Actions, however, speak louder than words. Let’s support a society that is more about civility and less about rudeness by creating your own campaign – at work, in the classroom, at home, in the neighborhood – a campaign that encourages civil behavior with special recognitions or rewards. Visit the following websites for additional ideas and to learn what others are doing:
These are just a few websites campaigning for civility. If you know of another campaign already in place or have an idea for a civility campaign, post it. More importantly, share your own story or experience. In this time of economic challenges, people need the encouragement of “good news” and the experience of “respectful behavior.”
