News Briefing #5
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Broward College *
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2041
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Political Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Heather Cole
News Briefing Quest #5
POS 2041
Civility and Political Freedom
“Civility promotes the virtue and self government that allows us to thrive in community,
inhibited by either tyranny or fear of our fellow citizens (Hudson, 2023).” In the early 2000s,
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg initiated a campaign against rudeness in New York
City. This campaign was designed by the local New York government to “civilize” the citizens of
New York. The goal of this campaign was to prevent and combat all forms of “antisocial
behavior” related to crime and bad manners.
“Subway riders and showgoers could be fined fifty dollars for inconsiderately resting
their feet on a bench or for using their phones during movies or Broadway shows. The city’s
noise code was overhauled to crack down on loud nightclubs and barking dogs and to promote
neighborhood peace. Cell phones were banned in movie theaters, and smoking was banned in
public places (Hudson, 2023).” Inspired by Mayor Bloomberg, local officials went further with
the campaign. They prohibited children under the age of ten from going to theaters after ten
o’clock to prevent disruptions. Parents can be banned from their children’s sports for shouting.
Impoliteness at sporting events could result in arrests, fines, and imprisonment. Letitia Baldridge,
the White House social secretary during John F. Kennedy’s administration, said, “I cannot
applaud it enough, my hands are tired from clapping.” New York citizens were not pleased with
their government attempting to “civilize” them. While the government attempted to reassure the
public that this response would be a “last resort,” many were alarmed.
No one likes to be told what they can and cannot do. Everyone says, “It is a free country
so I can do as I please.” While that is true, we must not take for granted the various freedoms we
do have. “When too many of us fail to exercise civility, people will begin calling for the
Heather Cole
News Briefing Quest #5
POS 2041
government to restrain us through laws and regulation (Hudson, 2023).” Instead of resting your
feet on a subway bench, why not move them so someone else can comfortably sit? What
satisfaction does one get from spitting or throwing things on a field during a sporting event?
Why are you on your cell phone in the theater? We often overlook the moral foundation that
supports our daily freedoms. Be courteous and be polite. Have good manners in order to prevent
the government from feeling as if they have to take these measures to this extent.
Heather Cole
News Briefing Quest #5
POS 2041
Citations
Hudson, A. (2023, October 23).
Civility and political freedom
. RealClearBooks.
https://www.realclearbooks.com/articles/2023/10/23/civility_and_political_freedom_98799
4.html
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