We have lost sight of our common ground

Introduction

In a 2018 poll, 93% of Americans said incivility is a problem in the U.S. Additionally, 69% said it’s a “serious” problem.

“Incivility” is a mild word to describe the toxicity that has divided political parties, school boards, and many families in the past few years. Too much of our public discourse has devolved into a verbal cage match with no rules.

There have been empty chairs in Oregon when state legislators of one party refused to attend because they would be outvoted. There were empty chairs in Tennessee when legislators voted to expel (and were later required to take back) colleagues who violated rules of civility in a debate about voting rights by using a bullhorn and allowing rowdy protesters into the legislative chamber. Sadly, there were also empty chairs at holiday dinners when political divisions outweighed family bonds.

The incapacity for civil dialogue across differing opinions is a serious disease of our body politic. And while we might have hoped for unanimity on this point, 69% is a significant majority of Americans who are disturbed by the animosity and the degraded standard of behavior by some leaders and media, and in our lives and communities.

This heartening super-majority of concern is a call to action. Our current level of incivility is not normal. It is not inevitable. And it is not incurable.

In our Washington, we are less profoundly affected than in Washington, D.C. Our 2023 state legislative session was remarkably bipartisan in both behavior and productive policy outcomes. Even the final Senate vote on the state operating budget – typically divided – was strongly bipartisan. Many of our local governments are also centers of civility.

All this gives us a stronger starting point for combating the poison in the body politic than many other states. But here, too, there have been shouting matches at local meetings, death threats aimed at school board members, and the need for heightened security at our state capitol.

Fortunately, there is a growing chorus of people and organizations who are thinking, meeting, and writing about how to turn the tide. Their work is worth studying to find the most effective strategies.

For all the past generations who fought and worked to sustain democracy, and for all the future generations whose legacy is in our hands, this is our civic duty.