What has happened in our society to create so much incivility, I find myself asking? People shout and scream at town hall meetings, the internet is full of venomous forwards and jokes, a minister in Arizona shouts from the pulpit "I want Obama to die", and examples of hate and rudeness abound.
Many of these are related to politics; however, we see hate and incivility in general society as well.
What about the case in Florida where a boy was drenched in alcohol and set afire? Recently a girl was gang raped while at least 20 people either participated or watched.
Road rage is another example of "out of control" emotions.
I suppose these types of events have always been among us.
After all, didn't Aaron Burr, sitting vice-president at the time, kill Alexander Hamilton in a duel and was ultimately charged with murder? Hate crimes happen all too often.
Lynching of Blacks in the South will always be a black mark on our society.
Congress just passed a new Hate Crimes bill to include sexual orientation, so perhaps that can be viewed a step in the right direction.
Of course, there are also signs of great kindness and sympathy in our society.
After 911 we were a united nation in hearts and spirit as many people extended helping hands to aid the victims of the attacks.
Everyday people do good deeds.
"Random acts of kindness" can still be found.
Pay it forward at Starbucks and on highway toll booths are reported in the media.
It is this softer, gentler America that I long for.
A return to public civility would be refreshing, where more people would treat others with respect and dignity.
In other words, I would like to see more of us practicing the Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
" Of particular concern is our use of words.
Contrary to the old saying of "sticks and stones..
..
", words CAN hurt you.
I still cringe when I hear a parent being verbally abusive to a child in public.
Not that I'm against discipline, but it can be done in a way not to demean the child.
The act of behavior is bad, not the child himself.
Words are powerful but when well chosen, they can get a desired effect without screaming, shouting, and use of profanity.
It seems to me that ever so often our country has a collective meltdown and emotions run high.
Perhaps we are in one of these periods right now.
Think the McCarthy era.
Now think Jerry Springer Show.
However, I will choose to believe that more of us will chose to be civil to our neighbors, sales clerks, co-workers, spouses, and children.
Why don't we start today?
Many of these are related to politics; however, we see hate and incivility in general society as well.
What about the case in Florida where a boy was drenched in alcohol and set afire? Recently a girl was gang raped while at least 20 people either participated or watched.
Road rage is another example of "out of control" emotions.
I suppose these types of events have always been among us.
After all, didn't Aaron Burr, sitting vice-president at the time, kill Alexander Hamilton in a duel and was ultimately charged with murder? Hate crimes happen all too often.
Lynching of Blacks in the South will always be a black mark on our society.
Congress just passed a new Hate Crimes bill to include sexual orientation, so perhaps that can be viewed a step in the right direction.
Of course, there are also signs of great kindness and sympathy in our society.
After 911 we were a united nation in hearts and spirit as many people extended helping hands to aid the victims of the attacks.
Everyday people do good deeds.
"Random acts of kindness" can still be found.
Pay it forward at Starbucks and on highway toll booths are reported in the media.
It is this softer, gentler America that I long for.
A return to public civility would be refreshing, where more people would treat others with respect and dignity.
In other words, I would like to see more of us practicing the Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
" Of particular concern is our use of words.
Contrary to the old saying of "sticks and stones..
..
", words CAN hurt you.
I still cringe when I hear a parent being verbally abusive to a child in public.
Not that I'm against discipline, but it can be done in a way not to demean the child.
The act of behavior is bad, not the child himself.
Words are powerful but when well chosen, they can get a desired effect without screaming, shouting, and use of profanity.
It seems to me that ever so often our country has a collective meltdown and emotions run high.
Perhaps we are in one of these periods right now.
Think the McCarthy era.
Now think Jerry Springer Show.
However, I will choose to believe that more of us will chose to be civil to our neighbors, sales clerks, co-workers, spouses, and children.
Why don't we start today?
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