Incivility is everywhere. It is commonly visible in everyday conversations, in debates, and online. With online incivility, anonymity is often targeted as the reason why there is online incivility. Both online incivility and anonymity encompass arguments that are for and against keeping them or banning them. Those who advocate for anonymity, such as Cornell Clayton, believe that anonymity provides a voice for the minority group against the majority majority and to protect individuals’ privacy. The argument against anonymity claim that anonymity either trigger a discussion not worth expanding on or it fuels comments that have no contribution to the discussion. Although there are negative aspects in anonymity, this poses a question if anonymity
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According to Cornell Clayton, author of “Understanding the ‘Civility Crisis’” includes a historical incident in 1865 where Charles Sumner was physically attacked by Preston Brooks “for giving a speech against the fugitive slave act” (para. 3). This example shows that Preston Brooks represented incivility and minority because he was acting against the majority, who were Charles Sumner and those that wanted to keep their slaves. Because of the incivility that Preston Brooks caused, this was able to bring awareness why the Fugitive act and slavery are unjust and unacceptable. This incivil act still makes history today because it is taught in schools and there are illustrations to capture this incident. Although Brooks’s action may seem unacceptable on his part, attacking a man who was giving a speech, it gives a chance to the excluded groups to have a chance to be the majority group where they do not have to be silenced because they are not the favorable group. This incident still shows that incivility give the excluded groups a voice against the majority even though, this incident was not the point of impact of the abolition of slavery. This example relates to anonymity because Brooks name was known. This makes him an easier target for the majority to spew names or nasty comments towards him. While this example exemplifies incivility, it also …show more content…
Even though incivility may not seem civil to others, it is still necessary for democracy. Anonymity as part of online incivility helps to empower the minority groups, protect people’s safety, and encourage people to participate in discussions. Anonymity expresses these three actions, the will to contribute to online incivility and to broaden democracy. Although with the opposing side believing that online incivility and anonymy hurt people and the democracy, incivility should be regulated. Online incivility has been present for a long time. Online incivility makes changes to the democracy. These changes make the democracy more progressive and
According to Cornell Clayton, author of “Understanding the ‘Civility Crisis’” includes a historical incident in 1865 where Charles Sumner was physically attacked by Preston Brooks “for giving a speech against the fugitive slave act” (para. 3). This example shows that Preston Brooks represented incivility and minority because he was acting against the majority, who were Charles Sumner and those that wanted to keep their slaves. Because of the incivility that Preston Brooks caused, this was able to bring awareness why the Fugitive act and slavery are unjust and unacceptable. This incivil act still makes history today because it is taught in schools and there are illustrations to capture this incident. Although Brooks’s action may seem unacceptable on his part, attacking a man who was giving a speech, it gives a chance to the excluded groups to have a chance to be the majority group where they do not have to be silenced because they are not the favorable group. This incident still shows that incivility give the excluded groups a voice against the majority even though, this incident was not the point of impact of the abolition of slavery. This example relates to anonymity because Brooks name was known. This makes him an easier target for the majority to spew names or nasty comments towards him. While this example exemplifies incivility, it also …show more content…
Even though incivility may not seem civil to others, it is still necessary for democracy. Anonymity as part of online incivility helps to empower the minority groups, protect people’s safety, and encourage people to participate in discussions. Anonymity expresses these three actions, the will to contribute to online incivility and to broaden democracy. Although with the opposing side believing that online incivility and anonymy hurt people and the democracy, incivility should be regulated. Online incivility has been present for a long time. Online incivility makes changes to the democracy. These changes make the democracy more progressive and