What about civility, in America?

      Looking at the images of the terrible Calgary flooding’s

or of the Oklahoma tornadoes, tears come to my eyes. When I
 see teachers – unassuming women - wrap their bodies

around young kids protecting them like lionesses guarding

cubs, it reminds me of the Newtown massacre with teachers

hiding their pupils in the closets, minutes before getting shot

by the killer. It’s always like that when I watch individuals

tapping into their inner strength to save someone’s life, I

become emotional. These superheroes, revealed in

unordinary times, say more about the state of our country

than any reality show, full of inanities. No matter what we

witness around us, in time of catastrophe and turmoil

Americans and Canadians rally as one, valuing life,

communities and country above their personal interest and

their own life.

We should not let our countries defined themselves
by looking at bad and lost individuals, a minority in the

vastness of our collective soul. Imagine if we ought not to wait for tragedy to reveal our nature? Imagine schools that would be teaching kids politeness, good manners by giving them the resources needed to be more civil and kinder? Wouldn’t our children be more inclined to show off their acquired skills knowing that, from deep inside, it comes from growing up in America when in time of necessity, rich or poor, we become examples of abnegation and valour?

Why should we wait for disasters to see acts of valour like these? It’s time that we start celebrating our inner capabilities; that we take it upon us to explain to our children, teenagers how be better humanist paying attention and acknowledging each other, all the time. This implies asking for more programs such as manners and etiquette courses in our school.

I can’t say that scholars like P.M. Forni, cofounder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project, have not been asked to design such programs? I don’t know. But I do know that we should get inspired by his work. Like for any other advanced skills, teaching civility principles from an early age would be beneficial for building a strong country. Talking about listening, respect for other people space and time are only of the few principles he talks about. Acquiring these invaluable skills would be as helpful as knowing survival tips when trekking in the backcountry.

Thanking the heroes in our communities is fine. But, more should be done!  I am encouraging parents in towns and cities across the country, to put pressure on those who decide what is taught in our schools, asking for mandatory classes on civility. Not only teaching manners, courtesy and social etiquette, these classes would explain how to be respectful and caring towards one another. That way, the teachers and anyone who did something admirable would be remember as angels of civility.  As a mother of three petrified by the violence scarring our communities I feel that there is a glimpse of hope, a ray of optimism and that, something good will come from out of this!