Civility

How well we get along with one another in public is the topic for today’s blog. I know that public civility has been better than today’s, but also worse.

Thinking back in my own life I recall the middle 1960s. JFK was assassinated in 1963. Civil Rights Movement marches, sit ins, beatings, fire hose attacks by police against protesters and missing out of state marchers (later found dead) were all the scene back then. Civil Rights was a theme that began its fiery resistance in the 1950s and extended well into the 1970s. The resistance to the Viet Nam War was a major theme throughout the 60s and then into the 70s. Riots, too, were a threat, then a reality in violent, poverty stricken areas of major cities throughout the nation.

Adding to the spice of the times was the Flower Power Revolution that removed most of the taboos of sexuality. Gay, Free Love, public nudity and open use of drugs and alcohol were ever present. This development unnerved older citizens but emboldened youth.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in April, 1968. Riots followed immediately burning down large swaths of American cities.

Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June, 1968 following his California Democratic Presidential primary victory the day before.

The decade of the 60s was violent and apocryphal. It was the best of times and worst in so many ways. The shift in public temper, however, was tangible and decidedly marked by bad manners.

Discussion of any issue most likely started arguments in restaurants, in church, on the street and at the family dinner table. Everything seemed open to debate and not consensus or compromise. It was an ugly time.

And so too today. Ugly, uncivil, rambunctious and non productive as far as understanding differing points of view. Not a positive environment for social mixing.

All too many people seek friendly silos of agreement on issues. As they do this society becomes even more polarized.

There are those who believe we should actively oppose this negative social movement. Our answer? Intentional discussion of disagreeable topics but in an environment in which facts hold sway, questions and answers are shared gladly among people with knowledge, and others present to maintain the peace. Also, we agree to disagree agreeably! In doing that we also give each other room to further their research on various topics and learn more.

In short we want to start a movement of hear, listen and learn.

In Warrenville, Illinois, Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting a Friday evening program called Nexus. Similar to a coffeehouse ministry from the 1960s, Nexus will host people from a broad region to sit down with an informed speaker, encouraged to ask questions, and experience an open discussion that is facilitated for civility and calm. It is hoped this program will eventually expand to a weekly schedule and maybe even need a larger facility. Whatever happens, we trust it will be a pleasant and worthwhile evening.

Watch local information channels for the opening date of Nexus. Then plan to join a discussion intended to expand understanding rather than build walls separating us one from another.

Let the mind and ear join and understand.

June 7, 2017