Become Aware, Culturally Competent & Engaged (ACE)
“Engaging in behaviors that are aggressive, sarcastic, demeaning, and insulting appear to be much more commonplace and perhaps have become normalized” in today’s societal standards (Plante, 2017). Civility is the act of showing regard for others by being polite. When you show civility, you use kindness and good manners. You are respectful, even if you do not agree with or even care for the person. Civility is what we are desperately missing and yearning for deeply in many areas of our lives. “Social media, talk radio, cable news, and well-known leaders in politics, athletics, entertainment, and business who engage in and are often reinforced for incivility encourage further deterioration of a respectful and polite society” (Plante, 2017). A better world can be created through civility.
As Monarchs, “we seek to embrace and practice the ethical principle of “respecting the dignity and worth of all people” and create a climate of civility, respect, and inclusion” throughout the Old Dominion community. The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) will be providing several opportunities for our community to become Aware, Culturally Competent, and Engaged (ACE) during national civility month; August 1-31st.
As Monarchs “we strive to accomplish this goal by interacting and communicating with others in a spirit of mutual respect and an openness to listen as well as to consider all points of view. While we may disagree on important issues, we debate and express our ideas in a collegial, civilized, and professional manner. We understand that individuals from diverse cultures and groups may have varying customs and beliefs we expect all to be respectful and mindful of these differences and norms” (APA, 2017).
Civility Terms Defined
There are numerous definitions of civility for various areas through our society for the purpose of our Monarch community Civility will be defined as follows: Civility: Recognizing that everyone has the right to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. Embracing academic freedom, accountability, honesty, and transparency in the responsible pursuit of higher education, knowledge, and social justice. Nurturing a climate of care, concern, and civility where respect for self, others, the institution, the environment, and the global community is a top priority. Being called to the highest ethical standards in academic and professional pursuits and to uphold a commitment to integrity in our policies, codes of conduct, and everyday practices.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Empathy: n. understanding a person from their frame of reference rather than one’s own, or vicariously experiencing that person’s feelings, perceptions, and thoughts. Empathy does not, of itself, entail motivation to be of assistance, although it may turn into sympathy or personal distress, which may result in action. Empathy can be a path to comprehension of a person’s cognitions, affects, motivations, or behaviors. (APA, 2023)
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Politeness involves steering clear of content or forms of language that might embarrass listeners, make them feel uncomfortable, or lessen their self-respect. It also involves actively using language that maintains or enhances the listener’s dignity, prestige, and autonomy. For example, a speaker might preface the request for a favor by saying, “I’m sorry to bother you, and feel free to say no, but I wonder if you would. . ..” Politeness is one aspect of facework. (APA, 2023)
According to the American Psychological Association Respect: n. an attitude of, or behavior demonstrating, esteem, honor, regard, concern, and other such positive qualities toward an individual or entity. Respect can serve an important purpose in interpersonal and intergroup relations by aiding in communication, for example. According to many theorists and practitioners, it is considered a crucial bidirectional process in psychotherapy. (APA, 2023)
According to the American Psychological Association Kindness: n. benevolent and helpful action intentionally directed toward another person. Kindness is often considered to be motivated by the desire to help another, not to gain explicit reward or to avoid explicit punishment. (APA, 2023)
There are numerous definitions of civility for various areas through our society for the purpose of our Monarch community Civility will be defined as follows: Civility: Recognizing that everyone has the right to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. Embracing academic freedom, accountability, honesty, and transparency in the responsible pursuit of higher education, knowledge, and social justice. Nurturing a climate of care, concern, and civility where respect for self, others, the institution, the environment, and the global community is a top priority. Being called to the highest ethical standards in academic and professional pursuits and to uphold a commitment to integrity in our policies, codes of conduct, and everyday practices.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Empathy: n. understanding a person from their frame of reference rather than one’s own, or vicariously experiencing that person’s feelings, perceptions, and thoughts. Empathy does not, of itself, entail motivation to be of assistance, although it may turn into sympathy or personal distress, which may result in action. Empathy can be a path to comprehension of a person’s cognitions, affects, motivations, or behaviors. (APA, 2023)
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Politeness involves steering clear of content or forms of language that might embarrass listeners, make them feel uncomfortable, or lessen their self-respect. It also involves actively using language that maintains or enhances the listener’s dignity, prestige, and autonomy. For example, a speaker might preface the request for a favor by saying, “I’m sorry to bother you, and feel free to say no, but I wonder if you would. . ..” Politeness is one aspect of facework. (APA, 2023)
According to the American Psychological Association Respect: n. an attitude of, or behavior demonstrating, esteem, honor, regard, concern, and other such positive qualities toward an individual or entity. Respect can serve an important purpose in interpersonal and intergroup relations by aiding in communication, for example. According to many theorists and practitioners, it is considered a crucial bidirectional process in psychotherapy. (APA, 2023)
According to the American Psychological Association Kindness: n. benevolent and helpful action intentionally directed toward another person. Kindness is often considered to be motivated by the desire to help another, not to gain explicit reward or to avoid explicit punishment. (APA, 2023)
Tangible Methods to Demonstrate Civility
- Think carefully before speaking
- Differentiate and articulate facts from opinions
- Focus on the common good
- Disagree with others respectfully
- Be open to others without hostility
- Respect diverse views and groups
- Offer a spirit of collegiality
- Offer productive and corrective feedback to those who behave in demeaning, insulting, disrespectful, and discriminatory ways
- Create a welcoming environment for all
- Focus corrective feedback on one’s best and most desirable behavior
From an U-M Faculty Members
- Recognize and/or remember that we have different backgrounds.
- Listen and also share. Share briefly from your own experiences when appropriate, rather than simply your positions.
- Build on your classmates’ comments. Acknowledge them, even if you disagree with them.
- Be careful not to generalize about people.
- Use “I” statements to state your views. For example, “I notice that when I’m with my friends we pay attention differently” is more constructive than “When you’re with friends you pay attention differently.”
- Respond to what is said in class, without attributing motivation to the speaker (this can be very challenging).
- Consider the difference between responding to express yourself and responding to get an idea across to people who have different preconceptions than yours.
- Consider who gets left out, who is marginalized, under-represented, or erased by particular claims.
- Interrupting and talking over others who have the floor
- Overgeneralizing and offering dispositional character criticisms and attributions
- Using language that is perceived as being aggressive, sarcastic, or demeaning
- Speaking too often or for too long
- Engaging in disrespectful non-verbal behaviors (e.g., eye rolling, loud sighs)
- Offering false praise or disingenuous comments (e.g., “With all due respect but…”)
Explore Civility with ODU
During August, National Civility Month, ODU places an emphasis on showing respect to others. But these concepts can be used throughout the year to improve our lives, and those of our others in our community.