I recently visited the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston to discuss the lack of civility in our politics. It is necessary, especially in these times.
Civility
I was invited by the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston to give a talk about civility in our politics and in our lives at large. It’s a speech that pulls on much of the work I have done with various organizations over the years.
I first gave a short history of my journey from Panama to becoming a naturalized American citizen. I even provided anecdotal stories about the respect many from abroad had for America.
I pointed out that what best disrupts the intentional and planned creation of our disunity are our stories which always have threads of commonality. In that light, I gave a few short stories that made the point.
- My Coffee Part USA story was my entry into modifying the tactics for engaging civilly.
- My Medicare for All Starbucks story showed that engaging civilly, listening intently, and leading one into asserting their own conclusions is the most effective way for one to change their views based on their own realities.
- My immigration Starbucks story showed how one can use someone’s self-interests if they are generally not empathetic.
- My Daniel Boone family story showed that displaying a high level of respect for one opens the door for them to entertain other beliefs.
In these times, intentional civility is our only saving grace. It is difficult in a society that has a short attention span and a high degree of gullibility. We must be disciplined as we move forward.
