The Latest on Civility

The definition of  "civility" is straight-forward enough. One source describes it as "formal politeness and courtesy in behavior and speech." To exhibit civility is to demonstrate such qualities as tact, affability, respect. Certainly when it comes to connecting and interacting with others, these represent positive ingredients. For years now in this blog, I have discussed how effective communication revolves around mutual respect between multiple parties. In discussing public relations, Edward Bernays referred to it as the "harmonious adjustment" between various publics. Civility, in short, is a good thing. 

On the surface, I cannot imagine any one disagreeing with that sentiment. Who does believe the world would be a better place if everyone was more respectful of each other? Yet, currently we live in a time when people seem to behave toward each other in increasingly less respectful and uncivil ways. For instance, just recently at the 2018 Tony Awards ceremony, actor Robert De Niro stepped up to the microphone and said, "F--k Trump." Even more recently, an unknown federal government employee yelled the same thing at The President who was nearby. De Niro's words were met with thunderous applause. The behavior of the unknown government employee also received high-praise from many on social media.

In a fundamental way incivility may feel good. De Niro may have drawn a good deal of self-satisfaction in doing what he did, for instance. But from a practical perspective, how much did that act of communication advance the public dialog that continues to revolve around President Trump? Did it result in people of opposing views coming together to share their feelings and views? Did it in any way lessen the great divisions within much of the population? My sense is it probably increased the divide. Not being civil makes effective communication all the more difficult to achieve.