ABSTRACT
Pundits, politicians, and most Americans are quick to describe incivility as a problem. But it is not the mere presence of incivility that is troubling but how people deploy it to achieve their political goals. After all, while intemperate rhetoric can be used to harass people, it can also be used to call attention to great injustices. In an attempt to reckon with these two faces of incivility, this chapter makes three suggestions: (1) we must reflect more deeply about the strategic use of incivility; (2) we must engage disagreement head-on even when it is uncomfortable to do so; and (3) we must be thoughtful about how we disagree with others, especially those who do not share our worldview. Yes, incivility can be problematic, but it can also be a sign that change is needed, a sign we dare not overlook.
