An Invitation to Discussion

I have been amazed at the number of conversations I have had with a variety of people where the topics of lack of civility and polarizing ideas came to the forefront.  It would appear that some have chosen to disregard the axiom that we need to work to “disagree agreeably.” 

Often, we see individuals discounted as well as their ideas.  What would appear to be obvious is that we may have a number of teachable moments as educators relative to both civility and disagreement.  We don’t always agree with each other in education, or even in our district.  However, for the most part, disagreements have been respectful and not demeaning to the person or persons we are disagreeing with.  The ability to express one’s opinion without fear of retribution or retaliation has been a cornerstone of our country for hundreds of years. 

Let’s consider ways we can provide our students with both appropriate teaching and modeling of civility and discourse so that we won’t have to worry about watching the latest debacle either on the internet or on the national news.  We also have to temper that educational opportunity with the fact that we shouldn’t always accept everything we hear, read, or are told; we need to critically evaluate ideas and determine what makes sense to most of us. 

We had this conversation last Saturday in a graduate class I teach at Friends University and we decided that today the missing commodity is often common sense.  What do you think?  What can we do in USD 373, in Kansas, and in schools and districts across the United States to counter the tidal wave of lack of civility, polarizing issues and opinions, and rude and disrespectful behavior which seems to be rampant.  I’d be interested to hear what you think.

John Morton