By Mark Bennett
TERRE HAUTE — Fortunately, I’ve never been a contestant on the TV show, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader?”
I know what would happen. Just as Chevy Chase once did, while imitating Gerald Ford in a presidential debate, I, too, would end up telling the moderator (Jeff Foxworthy), “I was told there would be no math.”
Imagine, though, if the show’s premise changed slightly to “Are You As Civil As a Fifth-Grader?”
A textbook used in Vigo County School Corp. elementary schools — “Science: See Learning in a Whole New Light” by Scott Foresman — has a clear, even-handed style of explaining complex topics. Not surprisingly, some of those topics are open to some political debate. The book lists the disadvantages of burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), including the buildup of “dirty” air and acid rain, which can endanger asthmatics, plants, animals and buildings; the limited supply of those fuels; and oil spills, which are a “big problem” in the seas and oceans.
Now, I happen to believe the scientists who researched those conclusions. But it’s not hard to find skeptics who deny that fossil fuel reliance has dire environmental consequences. If a shred of doubt exists that could serve as a political tool, an argument is guaranteed, especially in us-versus-them, 21st-century America.
So, should a grade-schooler — one who believes fossil fuel disadvantages are exaggerated — be allowed to holler “you lie” when the teacher reads aloud that information from that science book? Would the kid be considered heroic or courageous by folks who believe the same thing? Hopefully, a majority of us would emphatically say no, and no.
Why? Because we expect children to learn the value of decent behavior and treatment, to show respect. That’s called civility. Sadly, the country has recently been treated to some glaring examples of adults who are Less Civil Than a Fifth-Grader. A congressman from South Carolina, Joe Wilson, decided he had the right to blurt out “you lie” while President Obama addressed Congress about health-care reform. No doubt, in the past, rival congressmen sat thinking the same thing as other presidents — Truman, Kennedy, Nixon, Reagan — spoke to the House and Senate. What kept them from behaving as Wilson did? A lack of courage? No. Civility, most likely.
And what compels a recording star such as Kanye West to climb on stage during a music awards show, grab the microphone from fellow artist Taylor Swift as she accepts her award, and rant that another singer — Beyonce — should have won?
To a lesser degree, Serena Williams added her name to the incivility list by dropping F-bombs on a line judge as the tennis star was on the brink of losing a U.S. Open semifinal to Kim Clijsters. (What, a sports figure freaks out and swears at an official when something doesn’t go his/her way?) Still, Williams conducted her outburst on live TV, making you wonder whether she ever considered the effect of that tantrum on the woman on the receiving end or the audience.
Ironically, West summed up all three situations when he described his own actions at the MTV Video Music Awards as “rude, period.”
Obviously, the glare of a national spotlight gave these three incidents their 15 minutes of infamy. But it’s worth wondering whether each case forces us — even just briefly — to look in the mirror. Did rudeness and incivility emerge during the 2007 Terre Haute mayoral campaign? If so, has each side rationalized those behaviors as necessary? How do we react to a questionable call by an umpire or ref at our kid’s youth sports events? Does our language change when we tell a clerk for the satellite TV company or the utility company that we’ve been overcharged?
The only difference between those instances and the childishness displayed by the congressman, the rapper and the athlete is replays on national television.
Plenty of psychologists and pundits have weighed in on the reasons why incivility seems so acceptable — even admirable — today. That’s fine. There are undoubtedly complicated explanations for Wilson assuming it’s OK for him to interrupt and publicly disrespect the president, or why West felt entitled to steal someone else’s big moment, or why Williams disregarded the sting of her F-bombs on a mild-mannered line judge. I’d rather listen to the advice of a guy who probably had thousands of chances to whine — in legendary, high-profile events — about things that didn’t go his way. But that’s not John Wooden’s style.
Wilson, West and Williams probably haven’t read the coach’s “Pyramid of Success.” It would be worth their time, at least to consider this passage he shared with his basketball players at Indiana State University and UCLA:
“There is a wonderful mystical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life — happiness, freedom and peace of mind — are always attained by giving them to someone else.
“Be a gentleman at all times. Never criticize, nag or razz a teammate. Be a team player always. Never be selfish, jealous, envious or egotistical. Earn the right to be proud and confident. Never expect favors, alibi or make excuses. Never lose faith or patience. Courtesy and politeness are a small price to pay for the good will and affection of others.”
And then there’s this maxim from Coach Wooden:
“Although it may not be possible to determine what happens to you, you should control how you react and respond.”
Fifth-graders might accept that concept more easily than their elders, these days.
Mark Bennett can be reached at (812) 231-4377 or mark.bennett@tribstar.com.
