John Marks's Incivility In America

1256 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social norms of today

The Effect of Incivility in America The article “Incivility in America” was written by John Marks and published by U.S. News and World Report. This article revolves around the incivility in America today and around the main things that promote incivility. Incivility is referring to someone’s behavior and “Incivility in America” begins with stating that a man named Michael Walcott has gone to Loveless Elementary School to tell kids that they should act in a civil manner and respect their elders. Walcott sings to the sixth graders to show them that respect needs to be put into place and used in this world where stereotypes, foul language, and hatred are accepted. Marks brings up a valid point when he states that a majority of Americans acknowledge …show more content…

The argument that Marks proposes is consensual; Marks points out a huge problem in America and states his opinion with facts and examples, but at the same time he states something that might fix the problem. His tone and voice in this article is very academic and scholarly. He is informing the audience about a problem and addressing his main points. Marks uses a couple of logical fallacies such as: personal attack and after this equals because of this. Marks lightly uses personal attack when he talks about children being rude to their elders and when he talks about lawyers and the government being two big promoters of incivility. With the other logical fallacy, Marks summarizes that the incivility could be caused because of society developing over time. He blames music, talk shows, and the way children were brought up on the increase in incivility in America. When it comes to his points and what he is trying to inform the audience about I must say that I agree. Incivility in America is a big problem that needs to be addressed, and, in my opinion, is brought on by all of the things that surround people. Marks uses law, pop culture, and the government to help aid his argument. These three categories I agree with when it comes to the big influences on incivility in America. People are very prone to adapting to the newest type of trend out there. To some people, being civil and having

Show More
Related

  • American History in the book White Devil

    1239 Words  | 3 Pages

    Brumwell, Stephen. White Devil: A True Story of War, Savagery, and Vengeance in Colonial America. Da Capo Press Inc. March, 2005.

    Read More

  • Racism In Claudia Rankine's 'Citizens: An American Lyric'

    760 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “Citizens: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine the audience is placed in a world where racism strongly affects the daily American cultural and social life. In this world we are put as the eyewitnesses and victims, the bystanders and the participants of racial encounters that happen in our daily lives and in the media, yet we have managed to ignore them for the mere fact that we are accustomed to them. Some of these encounters may be accidental slips, things that we didn’t intend to say and that we didn’t mean yet they’ve managed to make it to the surface. On the other hand we have the encounters that are intentionally offensive, things said that are

    Read More

  • James Baldwin

    1478 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...erance for those who are disrespectful, but realizes that people can and hopefully will change and that we need each other to change. The New York Times described the James Baldwin segment as "a television experience that seared the conscience" (qtd. in PBS Online). In one instance Baldwin makes a hearty and honest “can’t we all get along” statement. “In short, we, the black and the white, deeply need each other here if we are really to become a nation – if we are really, that is, to achieve our identity, our maturity as men and women” (Baldwin 342).

    Read More

  • An Army of One: Me.

    1858 Words  | 4 Pages

    The progression of US society has become increasingly more individualistic every generation. Twenge’s analysis of Generation Me accurately depicts the way people today are more irritable and inclined to argue when their points are challenged. Similarly, the argument culture discussed by Tannen has taken over the American education system in part due to this rise in narcissism. Overall it is clear while one was not meant to lead to another, the argument culture and narcissism are not only related, but they unintentionally grow off of one another.

    Read More

  • Factionalism in America

    1750 Words  | 4 Pages

    In discussing the problems surrounding the issue of factionalism in American society, James Madison concluded in Federalist #10, "The inference to which we are brought is that the causes of cannot be removed and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects." (Federalist Papers 1999, 75) In many ways, the nature of American politics has revolved around this question since our country's birth. What is the relationship between parties and government? Should the party serve as an intermediary between the populace and government, and how should a government respond to disparate ideas espoused by the factions inherent to a free society. This paper will discuss the political evolution that has revolved around this question, examining different "regimes" and how they attempted to reconcile the relationship between power and the corresponding role of the people. Beginning with the Federalists themselves, we will trace this evolution until we reach the contemporary period, where we find a political climate described as "interest-group liberalism." Eventually this paper will seek to determine which has been the most beneficial, and which is ultimately preferable.

    Read More

  • A People's History Of The United States Chapter 1 Analysis

    190 Words  | 1 Pages

    Howard Zinn’s main point in chapter one of A People’s History of the United States is that history is more accurate through the eyes of the oppressed. Zinn states that choosing to ignore the oppressed in history is “...more than technical, it is ideological” (Zinn 5). This is because in not paying attention to the subdued, one also chooses to ignore the majority of history. If the champion is the only one who gets to tell the story it is more often than not missing key details and glorified in favor of the oppressor. An example of this is Columbus’ descriptions of the Arawak people. He describes them as ignorant, naive, and even compares them to animals. In reality the Arawaks were a developed people with advanced laws and traditions. Also

    Read More

  • The Role Of Hatred In Romeo And Juliet

    357 Words  | 1 Pages

    Even within today’s society people are sometimes too quick to hate which results in poor choices. For instance when in an disagreement human beings often chose to make derogatory comments which then offends the other person, and then the comment is later regretted. This causes people to chose to distance themselves from one another which in return causes a rift in their relationship and sense of community.

    Read More

  • The Conflict Theory Of Deviance In American History X

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    American History X is a great film that delivers a very strong message about deviant behavior. The story of Derek Vineyard and Danny inspires a lot in terms of changing the deviant behavior through various social concepts. The film shows good application of these theories and it involves the audience into a gripping tale of the change one hoes through to fight deviance and get through the tough journey of correcting oneself and choosing the right path.

    Read More

  • The Stereotypes Of The Black Eye Peas

    854 Words  | 2 Pages

    The lines “Nations droppin ' bombs, Chemical gasses fillin ' lungs of little ones, With on goin ' sufferin ' as the youth die young,” invoke a strong mental image of children dying. Thinking of this image in not pleasant whatsoever, thus having the listeners reevaluate and think of what is really going on in the world. They then state “Madness is what you demonstrate and that 's exactly how anger works and operates. Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight. Take control of your mind and meditate. Let your soul gravitate to the love, y 'all, y 'all.” Here, the Black Eye Peas displays how people’s emotions of fury and rage may lead to foolishness and madness. In addition, these lines add to the image of children dying and consequences of the mindless hate and violence acts. Furthermore, the repetitive negative emotion not only drives those people into complete ignorance, but also lures them in making an erroneous and terrible decision in life. To support this idea, an article by Charles Webel and Charles Fisher states that within groups, “there is often the phenomenon of contagious or imitative behavior. A frustrated or angry person is much more likely to behave aggressively if he or she perceives others doing so. This may involve not only “getting the idea” of violence but also gaining a kind of social “permission” to behave

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of 'America' By Tony Hoagland

    734 Words  | 2 Pages

    The poem “America” by Tony Hoagland reflects on how peoples’ minds are clouded by small-scale items, money, and the unimportance of those items. Metaphors and imagery are utilized to emphasize the unimportance of materialistic items in America. How America is being flooded with unnecessary goods. The poem uses examples of people to create an example and connection to the overall meaning.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Black Men And Public Space By Brent Staples

    670 Words  | 2 Pages

    He creates this tone to convey his purpose to the reader which is that prejudice is still an ongoing problem in American society, and that it will never be a thing of the past. Staples gives many personal anecdotes that are very somber; the readers are affected by this because they can emphasize and feel the prejudice that the victim, Brent Staples, faces. Although Staples is never delighted with the positions he is in, he never shows his resentment. In one part of the article, Staples said, “It is not altogether clear to me how I reached the ripe old age of twenty-two without being conscious of the lethality nighttime pedestrians attributed to me.” (Staples, 2). Staples attributes that he knows many people in American society automatically assume that he is a threat to “their” society because of

    Read More

  • Journal: American History X

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    Giving more insights about how racist ideologies are born or even transmitted from one generation to another is probably the main mission of this movie. This is definitely a movie about racism which does not follow the traditional way Hollywood has of showing the victim’s side of the story. The audience of this movie will be attached, this time, to the racist’s point of view, thanks to the help various film elements and a literary design that are used to force the viewer to empathize and maybe even like the hero/bad guy of the story.

    Read More

  • Violence Against The Minority In 'Notes Of A Native Son'

    1364 Words  | 3 Pages

    Violence against the minority is wrongful act that is possible seen in society. The violence could in people’s lives a traumatic experience. Moreover, as a result of the violence, the people can be feeling hopeless, hate and desperation in front others in society. The article, “Notes of a Native Son by Baldwin states the idea of the black hate other and how they learned to protect themselves, and prevent their self-destruction, “ The Question of Class” by Allison on the other hand argues how the poorer people tend to hide themselves in order to protect themselves front the violence in the society. According to both articles it is possible to see that the Balwin and Allison rise up the article “Code of the Street” by Anderson when the author shows how the violence in the black community show

    Read More

  • Summary Of What Is An American By John De Crevecoeur

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    In “What is an American” by Hector St John de Crevecoeur, the writer described many notable differences that he discovered when he first arrived in America. He marveled at the many differences in structure, diversity, and the overall equality of this new land. Crevecoeur’s early America was much different than the land that he once knew. America gave him a sense of freedom, hope, and possibility. He wrote letters in hope to inspire all who were looking for a change in their lives, and who would be ready to contribute to the advancement of such a great land. America was more united, with every man working for themselves. There were no monarchies with Kings and Lords who contained all wealth while others suffered. Every

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Crime

    1216 Words  | 3 Pages

    Crime and society are inseparable since time memorial. They are interrelated. Dating back the history, it is an undaunted fact that ever since human beings started living together commission of crime erupted” (Patel, 2011). Since the time of the Founding Fathers of the United States fought for their freedom from England, they had a vision of what the United States could be. To ensure their vision would come to fruition they developed the Constitution as well as a Bill of Rights to ensure the people had rights that could not be taken from them. To bring social order to the communities the government then implemented laws to ensure there would be punishments for the actions of the citizens. Over time society has also determined a sense of morality and these morals change determined by the culture of the area that one may come from. America is a melting pot of many different cultures, nationalities, religions, and people. With in these different demographics of the nation the morals and values that some may consider the “unwritten laws” of the land will change. One must now determine when these laws that imposed by the government and also their culture, what is crime. Some would say that any violation of either laws would be considered criminal activity, while others would say that defiance of only the laws of the government is criminal activity. Who is correct? Does it have to be one or the

    Read More

More about John Marks's Incivility In America

Open Document