Village of Ridgewood tackles decline in civility
Upcoming meeting will explore ways to raise the tone of public discourse
Why can’t we all just get along?
The rabbis have been asking that question for years, particularly in late summer, around the time of Tisha B’Av, when sermons inevitably wrap around the themes of baseless hatred and intolerance.
But our secular community — especially as political discourse turns ever more hostile and bullying pervades both our schools and our social media — has been asking that as well, and at least one town has decided to do something about it.
According to Ridgewood’s Mayor Paul Aronsohn, the town began its civility initiative last year. With a core group including Rabbi David Fine of the town’s Temple Israel and Jewish Community Center, Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck, the Rev. Jan Phillips of the Religious Society of Friends, and Mr. Aronsohn, the town already has held two roundtable discussions on the issue, seeking to identify the problem and locate the line between disagreement and incivility.
“It’s not only what you say, but how you say it,” Mr. Aronsohn said, noting that any discussion must include both content and attitude. “It’s good and fine to disagree, but we should be able to disagree without being disagreeable.”
https://jstandard.com/content/item/town_tackles_decline_in_civility/32564
All these quoits looks good on Mr. Aronsohn web site.
The word “respect” is one of the most important words that “civil” people use. Years ago it used to be spoken with its first definition in mind. The first dictionary definition is having regard for, or admiration for.
Now it is used to mean being courteous toward, or, for example, realizing that someone may have a different opinion than you and that opinion should be heard and thought about. In other words showing respect for the differing opinion. Not just dismissing it outright, although the plan of the council is to dismiss any differing idea outright, but to pretend not to. Especially if it concerns equal access to parking.
I still define “respect” with the first dictionary meaning. So with that definition in mind, meaning admire, I wish to say that I don’t respect the current mayor and council.