Civility Blog

The recent visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Columbia University was controversial simply by virtue of having taken place. Many believed Columbia was wrong in extending an invitation to him. Others felt like the “welcome” he received was inappropriately harsh. Still others were frustrated by Ahmadinejad’s refusal to provide direct answers to direct questions. All of this is an excellent example of how extremely difficult true dialogue can be when the differences that separate us are so very deep. It takes extreme care, wisdom, patience, and sensitivity. It should also be recognized that none of this takes place in a vacuum, but rather in historical and cultural contexts that are at once real and personal. However, we should not let the difficulties of the challenge prevent us from undertaking the effort to engage in honest and civil discussion, for it is in that context that truths most readily emerge.

As mentioned in The Drudge Report and shown in videos on CNN and YouTube, a Town Hall Meeting featuring Senator John Kerry at the University of Florida, during which he invited students to “share a dialogue”, turned out to be anything but routine when University of Florida student Andrew Meyer approached the microphone to address the Senator. What ensued was a cause, at the very least, for dismay on all sides. It is reported that Meyer exceeded a time limit imposed on students for asking questions. Meyer was led away by police, restrained, tasered and arrested - the charges being that he disturbed the peace and resisted arrest. If this is the best we can do in having a dialogue with each other, we, as individuals and as a nation, are in very sad shape. It brings to mind a song, “Is This America?” by Eric Gnezda. Our answer? We would hope - on all sides - that we could dialogue better than this. We believe we can. We believe we must.