Civility: Time to relearn it

Rudeness accomplishes nothing. Worse, as Sunday's editorial emphasized, incivility tends to impede progress rather than provide advantage for either side. Let incivility in expression go far enough and we see results such as the violence in Arizona; opinion never justifies such malice.

We Americans pride ourselves on democratic ideals: free expression, dissent, and open criticism of government. It seems too many have forgotten how to exercise those liberties without behaving like tantrum-throwing toddlers or at best, emotional teenagers who can't see past themselves. (Well-behaved toddlers and compassionate teens notably excepted.) In short, our society seems to have regressed in maturity and forgotten the lessons of kindergarten. The average citizen once had a limit to insult and injury; this line has apparently eroded near to invisibility.

So as a society we must relearn to apply basic manners in matters of civil discourse. Four conferences sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and Spokane will examine the relationship between civility and democracy.

Beginning this Thursday in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene's own Tony Stewart, former North Idaho College instructor and lifelong human rights advocate, will help moderate "Civility and American Democracy: Where We Have Come and Where We are Headed." The three-day conference features speakers and panel-led discussions of American history, religion, art, philosophy, architecture and Ground Zero rebuilding, communication/media, and a workshop with the hopeful title, "Constructing Public Programs to Foster a Productive Civic Dialogue."

The conference will explore:

* How concepts of civility have evolved and relate to social equality and political power;

* Effects of increasing ethnic and cultural diversity;

* Fostering civility through art, architecture, and communication; and

* Whether insistence on certain forms of civil behavior is necessary or detrimental to a democracy.

Opening with former Speaker of the House Thomas Foley (the Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at WSU co-sponsors the event) and a keynote speech about rational dialogue by author-attorney Stephen Carter, the 25 participants range from academics and politicians to museum directors and broadcasters. Others from Idaho include Rev. Marilyn Muehlbach of Unity Church, Kenton Bird of UI's journalism school, Gini Woodward of the Boundary County Historical Society, and David Townsend of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library. Carter's keynote speech at 5:30 at the Davenport Hotel, as well as the daylong session at WSU on Friday, are free and open to the public. For more information see http://foley.wsu.edu/civility.

Yes, Virginia, it is possible to express opposition while remaining considerate of others. Yours is never the only perspective. Respect gets better results, saves time and stress, and best of all: you may turn perceived enemy into friend.

Sholeh Patrick, J.D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Civil responses guaranteed at Sholehjo@hotmail.com.