During a 2011 conversation at the US Supreme Court and attended by national leaders from many fields, civil discourse was defined as “robust, honest, frank and constructive dialogue and deliberation that seeks to advance the public interest” (1). In more basic terms, National Public Radio Host Diane Rehm said simply that civil discourse represents “our ability to have conversation about topics about which we disagree, and our ability to listen to each other’s perspectives” and that this dialogue begins “at home” (2). With empirical research linking incivility with “reduced trust in and legitimacy of… government, reduced capacity… to engage in reasoned discussion without emotional manipulation, extreme political polarization, the impossibility …show more content…
Additionally, the same poll found that “nearly six-in-ten Americans believe the country is more divided over politics than it was in the past and only one-in-five Americans believe American political leaders work well together to overcome differences to get things done”(5). Consequently, “those will little tolerance for political incivility may avoid politics completely” or look to “associate with like-minded people, to the point of actively avoiding those who disagree” (6). It is clear that the absence of civil discourse in American politics creates negative feelings surrounding politics to the point that polls have found that 50% of people feel that Washington is broken, and the incivility appears to only be increasing (7). This lack of civil political discourse is spreading across campuses throughout the USA, and its ripple effects will be felt by many generations to …show more content…
Currently at Ohio State, Ask Big Questions at OSU seeks “to gather people to discuss questions at the heart of life and to see if we can change the world though better conversations” (9). The organization started at the Northwestern University Hillel where they thought “to ask a question instead of making a statement” (10). As a result of their reflective community conversations about purpose, identity and, responsibility, “students who participate[d] in [the] conversations report[ed] significant, lasting increases in their ability to listen, to understand their own values and beliefs and those of others, and to demonstrate the skills and attributes of empathetic, engaged citizenship” (11). Furthermore, within Undergraduate Student Government (USG), a Diversity and Inclusion Committee exists to “support, protect, and advocate for the safety and success of all students” (12). Presently, they seek to increase inclusivity through bias training and diversity discussions, but fail to engage in any projects or policies that emphasize civil discourse. Through a collaboration with Ask Big Questions at OSU as well as the