If the blogosphere is ever to become an important resource for news, for citizen journalists to write their opinions and/or for people to weigh in with their own views, political or otherwise, there needs to be a spirit of mutual respect and civility — at least within certain blog communities.

Otherwise, the Internet will become nothing more than a free for all where only the most rude and extreme will be heard and be able to tolerate it. When that happens, blogging will have jumped the shark and a wonderful opportunity will have been lost to the lowest common denominator.  

I am writing this post about the importance of civility now because I am noticing a lack of it more and more every single day. For instance, while there are many wonderful regular readers both here and at Jack’s Newswatch, where I also post, increasing numbers of commenters are becoming impatient, insistent, dismissive and sometimes downright abusive to each other and to the bloggers themselves. 

What is going on?  In the 18 months I have been blogging and at least a year before that when I used to leave comments, people have always expressed strongly held opinions and were willing to debate on those opinions. Yet, that it not what I am talking about. Moreover, there have always been trolls, or what I call “shock” bloggers, who love nothing better than to post nasty messages and comments.

No, something else seems to be at work now. Are people just tired of all the goings on in Ottawa, no matter which political party is involved? Has the “gotcha” game of the federal opposition tainted everyone, whether liberal, progressive or conservative, with the same brush?

I am writing this post because I am genuinely concerned. I make a point never to write anything about another blogger, particularly anything that is critical or demeaning — even when I strongly disagree. In fact, I like and respect bloggers from all political persuasions, many of whom are on my “favourites” list. And, I try very hard not to get into one upmanship on comment threads.

Perhaps it is the anonymity that brings out the worst in some people. I don’t know. But, think about it. As bloggers, why on earth would we continue to volunteer our time, day after day, if we are going to be faced with a complete lack of civility more often than not? When we have to put our comments on moderation because we have to make sure they are not insulting, degrading or inflammatory.

So, at the end of the day (literally), if the blogosphere is to be a player in the news and opinion business, civility should be a must.

[...]

While there are definitely some Toronto parents and public school supporters who agree with the notion of an Africentric program from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, the speed at which Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustees and members of its “advisory panel” are putting forward and approving proposals is clearly political. 

For example, today’s Toronto Star editorial comment states:

“Bureaucrats at the Toronto public school board have barely begun the effort of launching an Africentric elementary school this coming fall. But now some trustees are calling for an Africentric high school to open just one year later.”

So, however well intentioned, some TDSB trustees are making recommendations for an Africentric high school without adequate “action research” and feedback on the pilot elementary program slated for Sheppard Public School in September of this year.  As such, in their unseemly haste, the needs of the students seem to have been forgotten or minimized.

Moreover, since the pilot project at Sheppard is to be a JK - Grade 5 “school within a school,” what has happened to the intermediate Grades 6 - 8?  Are students aged 11 to 13 supposed to be included with the high school aged youth? That would be a big mistake and a recipe for bullying.

Read the rest of this entry »