This week . . . in addition to the usual back and forth of red vs. blue polarization, there was increasing back and forth over the issue of polarization itself. Many insisted we need a return to civility. But others argued, understandably, that you must resort to incivility to win. And they have a point. Incivility can be effective because emotional appeals, (especially ones that prey on fear, resentment, prejudice and hate) are powerful tools of persuasion. The problem with incivility (like torture?) is not its effectiveness, but its cost.
Civility in American politics is more than politeness. Civility is the language of resolving disagreement in a free society, much as the process of law is the language of seeking justice in a fair society. Yes, there are plenty of times when it drags on and even fails, and you want to wield the swift, satisfying “Dirty Harry” sword of vigilante-ism to slash through the Gordian knot of due process…or civil discourse. That was exactly the argument and emotion that enticed the frustrated citizenry of Germany to abandon the cumbersome liberal democracy that was taking root in the Weimar period of the 1930s. I’m not saying that’s where we are. But looking around the world and seeing the same willingness to “f–k civility” in one democracy after another you can’t help but wonder where it stops. And consider what is at risk.
But what do you do when confronted with an opponent who seems to gain ground by lying, insulting, goading, bullying, and generally “f—king” civility?
There is no easy answer. Spitting back in kind plays to their strength and promotes the destruction they seek. And just being deferential and polite and hoping people will notice is a weak counter the screaming fire and brimstone of aggressive uncivil political speech.
But one guide might be found in our recent past. Proponents of incivility sometimes cite the success that civil disobedience—acts of incivility—had in the struggle for civil rights. But I remember civil disobedience differently. I have a much stronger recollections of the raging incivility of dogs and firehoses being turned on American citizens than I do of the “incivility” of African Americans sitting down and ordering lunch at a “whites only” public lunch counter. The genius and courage of the civil rights movement, as I look back on it, was that it achieved victory not by being uncivil, but by highlighting the vastly greater incivility of racism that ultimately ran counter to the braver angels of the American heart. America, after all, is not defined by a common ethnicity, language, religion, race or culture. America is defined by a common love for the ideals in the rule book of civility called the Constitution. That is who we are.
To disrespect civility, in short, is a to disrespect America. That is the Achilles heel of incivility. The name calling, bullying, fabricating, manipulating and other techniques of uncivil political speech and actions may strike emotional chords. But they are anathema to our core beliefs and values as Americans.
So the way to fight this poison, this attack on America, in the face of the jeers and taunts and slurs and insults, is to stand up, go in and steadfastly, determinedly, unflinchingly sit down and order lunch.
When reading these examples, check the above list and ask yourself: regardless of whether you agree or disagree, is this really advancing an intelligent resolution through the persuasive, rational arguments of advocacy…or simply fueling the fire of conflict through the divisive, emotional manipulations of polarization?
Here are just a few of the week’s headlines on opposing views about polarizaiton, from the left and right and in between.
More civility, please; our democracy needs it
Left loudly celebrates lack of civility
Far-right voices are frothing about a looming civil war
Don’t Match Maxine Waters’ Incivility With Disrespect
Sometimes There Are More Important Goals Than Civility
Return civility to political debates
White America’s Age-Old, Misguided Obsession With Civility
I mourn the death of civility in our nation
How “Civility” Became a Buzzword—and Lost All Meaning
Return civility to political debates
‘Civility’ Is What Gave Us Trump in the First Place
Freedom Of Speech And The Civility Debate
Rep. Mike Johnson: It’s National Day of Civility—And we sure need it!
The Red Hen Affair: Demands for ‘civility’ are almost always aimed at shutting down free speech
Opinion: It’s time to return to civility
The war on civility is a war on America and other commentary
Local leaders urge return to civility, respect
The big problem with those conservative calls for ‘civility’
To Be a Better Nation, Bring Back Civility
