What does Civility look like?
"Civility is claiming and caring for one's identity, needs and beliefs without degrading someone else's in the process."
Civility means not yelling back at someone when they yell at you. It means remaining calm in the midst of verbal attack. It means using reasoned and informed argument to make one's point of view understood. It means exhibiting patience and control, and being willing to listen to another person's point of view with not just polite silence, but rather a genuine interest in learning what they think and believe and why. It means being open to considering new ideas.
Civility does not mean simply giving up to get along. We all have our own opinions. It does not mean having to surrender a belief system, as long as that belief system does not degrade others.
Civility works hand in hand with tolerance.