The Civility Effect

What does civility mean to senior broadcasting major Jennifer Yuma? "What civility means to me is a way to be engaged in topics that aren’t always comfortable, but are necessary to bring about change. I think what BLM specifically in 2020 has showed is that people are capable of listening, and capable of learning. But you first have to do it. You have to listen to the tough conversations, even if what people are saying are about you. This stems into any social issue, whether that be LGBTQ+ issues, women’s issues, etc. If we don’t allow ourselves to listen, or those affected to be heard, then we’ll never get to the civility that we’re striving for currently.”

, project coordinator at and recent COJMC graduate, shares what means to her:
“Civility should be part of every discussion we have with each other. Civility becomes violent when it's used to disregard or brush over someone expressing how one's words or actions harm them or a specific community. I've experienced this a number of times while being cornered into accepting apologies laced with toxic positivity for racist behavior. I think it's important to think about your intentions behind civility in difficult situations. Is your aim to create a space for open discussion or to shield yourself from criticism?”

Thank you Odochi for your insights! 💓

Senior Political Science major Kia Brodersen shares her thoughts on civility: “I find that having difficult conversations, especially about polarizing topics, can feel frustrating and tiresome. They take both patience and understanding. Civility, for me, signifies a respect for someone as a human being; it shows an awareness of how their specific experiences have shaped them and their views. Really listening to someone in a heated conversation sets a precedent for how future interactions can be. People liked to be listened to, and if you give them your time, they will likely give it in return. For me, as a person of color, civility is of utmost importance because we can't make progress if we are constantly working against each other.”

*GIVEAWAY*
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*This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Instagram or Domino's Pizza. The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 25 2021. The winner will be selected by a random generator, notified via direct message and tagged in a comment on Feb. 27 2021.*