Civility

Civility

I am almost at the point of unplugging from social media. What was originally intended to bring people together through the miracle of modern technology has become the sounding board for an outpouring of uncivilized behavior. It is not the divergence of opinion that aggravates me as much as the manner in which it is presented.

Not since the days of the Vietnam War has our country been so polarized. This election cycle, a truly American phenomenon, is destined to go down in the history books as one of the worst examples of a democratic republic at work. Not because of who ran for elected office but by the base behavior of the candidates as well as the voters.

Civility went out the window and an uglier side of humankind took center stage. Webster defines civility as an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners. It is interesting to note that in that same definition the archaic meaning of the word meant training in the humanities; that part of education which teaches us that how to be civilized human beings.

Political correctness is morphing into a deluge of individual rights based upon, for the most part, ignorance and personal preference. What a sad state of affairs has come upon us as a nation. The table of common discourse has been abandoned for a  worldwide web of unceasing narrow mindedness. It is hard to find a public discussion that doesn't erode into name calling or four letter words. A  harsh appraisal of our public behavior? I think not.

Maybe a few words of wisdom from the Bible will help temper our strong convictions and wagging tongues. “Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body…. Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.”

Oh! I thought those lumps on my head were enlarged smart cells.