Keeping It Civil

Divisiveness, rancor, and polarization have become the hallmarks of the current era in American political discourse. While a radical left still exists, it is largely silent within the liberal segment of the U.S. polity. In contrast, the radical right is strident and aggressive, often drowning out the voices of moderation within conservative ranks. Alternatives to this dominant continuum are negligible—or at least unheard in the torrent of expressed factionalism.

Many people, educators among them, lament the discordant incivility prevalent today in public gatherings, on talk radio and television, in advertising, and elsewhere. Consequently, for educators struggling to counter this negativity and foster civil discourse, following are a few resources that may be helpful.

Civil Politics

http://www.civilpolitics.org

Nastiness, Name-calling, & Negativity

(Allegheny College Survey of Civility and Compromise in American Politics)

http://sites.allegheny.edu/civility/

Center for Civil Discourse

(University of Massachusetts Boston)

http://www.umb.edu/civil_discourse

National Institute for Civil Discourse

(University of Arizona)

http://nicd.arizona.edu

Civil Discourse in the Classroom (Teaching Tolerance)

http://www.tolerance.org/discourse

“Reclaiming Civil Discourse” (Bill Moyers Journal, PBS)

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/blog/2008/09/reclaiming_civil_discourse.html

Center for Civic Education

http://new.civiced.org