By Ed Flynn
Over the past decade, the rise in partisanship, identity politics, and divisive rhetoric fueled in large part by social media and disinformation has led to polarization on both sides of the political spectrum. A 2024 Gallup poll found that 80 percent of Americans believe our country is highly divided on most important values.
These divisions have negatively impacted the way that we have conversations, especially in political debate, where normal disagreements on ideas, ideology, or policy, are met with increasing disrespect, hostility, and contempt.
Many correlate their personal identity with their political ideology, which can make disagreements across and even within party lines feel like personal attacks.
Unfortunately, political tensions at the national level have trickled down to state and local governments and exacerbated some of these issues. In municipal government, we have seen both a loss and a lack of collegiality, an unwillingness to listen, an absence of engagement and inclusion with those who are not necessarily in agreement with 100 percent of the same views and opinions.
In the age of polarization, we must chart a better way for civil discourse. Last week, I called for a hearing order to establish a Committee on Civility to look at how the City of Boston can address its own issues of civility. This hearing will be an opportunity to hear and learn from legal experts, non-profit leaders, and residents on how this committee will serve as an example of strong leadership and fellowship.
This call is a continuation of the work that I have done in recent years to address the critical need for civility, professionalism, and decorum in government. During my Council presidency, I partnered with the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the National Institute for Civil Discourse to hold a civility workshop for the Boston City Council and staff.
Over the years, I have also attended the National League of Cities (NLC) conferences and joined elected and municipal officials around the country to discuss how city leaders can work together to improve civility in government.
Across the country, municipalities have taken action to foster a welcoming environment for government and residents to engage in healthy dialogue. The Montana League of Cities and Towns, a nonpartisan association of municipalities, has painted a blueprint for how local leaders can encourage civility. The City of Nashville has an Ad Hoc Civility Committee, which held a hearing to discuss a proposed Council Civility Code. The Illinois Supreme Court has a dedicated Commission on Professionalism that focuses on promoting civility. The commission, governed by an Illinois Supreme Court Rule, may help outline a potential body for the City of Boston.
As elected representatives, our duty is to listen to our constituents, convey the issues that are impacting their livelihoods to the City, and debate solutions on how we can improve the quality of life for our constituents. Disagreements are inevitable and welcomed. In fact, as a moderate on a majority progressive Council, I frequently hold differing views to my colleagues – and the way we conduct ourselves and treat those who hold different opinions to us matters. That sets a tone and continues precedent for not only the body, but discourse in the city at large.
A lack of such respect weakens the collective power of the whole. It is about common courtesy, being willing to listen and have the hard conversations, and the realization that the spirit of compromise is not a weakness – but a sustainable path to progress in a democracy.
National, state, and local governing bodies, including the Boston City Council, should serve as role models for civil discourse. We must lead by example and the establishment of a Committee on Civility in the City of Boston is a way forward for us to come together, overcome dogmatism, and have respectful conversations and relationships.
To quote President John F. Kennedy, “So let us begin anew – remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.”
Ed Flynn is a Boston city councillor who represents South Boston, Chinatown, and parts of the South End in District 2.
