In Search of Civility 

Chapter 7: Diversity 

By Kayla Ingram 

The Civility in Diversity 

In order to understand diversity, one must understand that it does not only encompass the acceptance of race but all of multiculturalism that includes: sex and gender, race, religion, national origin, economic status, disability, and sexual orientation. It is a matter of respecting more so than it isn't a matter of toleration.   

 In a social setting, many prejudices based on stereotypes are taken lightly as remedial satire. However, when it is used in this context people tend to neglect its implications and how it could affect the people that identify with the group being ignorantly discriminated against. To maintain civility in situations where communities of opposing beliefs have to confront each other (such as the LGBTQ community versus conservative Christians, etc.), it is important to coexist by listening to each other's beliefs  without attacking the other's principles and learn to agree to disagree respectfully.  

Diversity for the sake of education has its own benefits which contributes to the maintenance of civility in an academic multicultural setting, as well. Unique perspectives in the learning environment play a significant role in students' academic success and critical thinking skills. However, neglecting to expose students to different cultures and lifestyles encourages them to make blind assumptions of communities they may not understand.  This could also look as if certain communities were ignored intentionally, even if all intentions were sincere. Affirmative action could neutralize as such issues positively albeit its negative reputation amongst envious speculators.  

The Civility Rule 200 that states, "At restaurants, encourage others to order before you," could represent the civility in diversity because this act could diminish any sort of discrimination in the dining setting. No matter the culture, one should allow everyone else to order ahead of himself, avoiding the traditions of all lifestyles.