Thursday, August 22, 2013

Civility

It was Nov 4th 2008, the day of the historic election in the United States of America. The day which was possible because of one man's belief in freedom he pursued with clear focus, determination and tenacity, President Abraham Lincoln. It was the day when the seed of freedom, bloomed into a tree giving its first fruits.

While all the credits go to the believers of freedom and all those who supported the bill of emancipation proclamation and President Abraham Lincoln, this story is not just about those handful of individuals. This is one of many powerful stories of the People of America. This is the story of what America has achieved in last 200+ years - The Civility.

I became citizen of United States of America a couple of years before the Nov 4, 2008. This was the first presidential election I was to participate in. Incidentally I was also out of job! and thus decided to do more than just vote and volunteer as polling place inspector. I went through one class room training and two practice sessions at poling stations. On the election day, I was assigned to the A-Team.

The day at the polling station and serving in various capacities during the day revealed a definition of civility. Close your eyes and picture an election place where there are no police, no uniformed officers are allowed within 100 feet of the polling place. The election is run by common volunteer citizens. Polling place has an area designated for anyone who wants to witness the election. The neighbors of the community bring cookies, cakes, water and drinks to say thank you to the volunteers for their services.

What is unique about America is not the money or it being a Super Power, it is their collective ability to install humanity in the humans. America has achieved the civility which many nations has not been able to, for thousands of years. The reason why America does this consistently through various booms and burst cycles is to push themselves to do better everyday. One very critical element is Immigration, however controversial it may be.


One of my niece in Mumbai sent to me this article: The story You never Wanted to Hear. I was not surprised and that made me wonder why can not India(ns) thrive to excel and seek better quality of life, honest living, less corrupt society and civility ?

Civility is an ultimate result of human development. It starts with education, fueled by food, preserved with sanitation, clothing and shelter and thrives in democracy and freedom.

There can not be any other priorities, goals or measures as powerful as Civility.

Side Note:
Discrimination is an integral human trait. Learning and embracing Civility is what makes a human fair converts to diversity