From attitude to amity: NJ bill calls for annual statewide ‘Day of Civility’

New Jerseyans would observe a statewide “Day of Civility” in November each year under a resolution approved by lawmakers in Trenton. 

Wait. New Jersey, with less of the attitude that were hallmarks of “The Sopranos” and 14 seasons of “Real Housewives”? That’s what the sponsor hopes.

“New Jersey will set the stage for this to be a domino effect for the world, not just our country,” the bill’s sponsor, Senator Angela McKnight, a Democrat from Jersey City, said in an interview on Nov. 10 at the State House.

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee released the bill, SJR169, with a unanimous vote of support. It now goes to a floor vote in the Assembly before it heads to the full legislature for consideration, and then potentially to Governor Phil Murphy to sign.

The bill encourages acts of civility – described as “courtesy or politeness” in the text – that “would greatly enhance social relations among Americans and improve political leaders’ ability to govern.” 

Studies found that “93 percent of Americans consider incivility to be a problem in the United States,” according to the bill. More than eight in 10 Americans who have experienced incivility report that “such encounters are frequent, averaging 10.6 times per week,” the research showed.

Tourists ranked New Jersey 46th in friendliness among the 50 states, according to a WorldPopulationReview.com survey. (Minnesota was friendliest and New York, the least, travelers said.)

Seeking civility across the globe may seem impossible, but McKnight is determined for it to start in the workplace, schools, and community meetings right here in New Jersey.

“You’re talking to me, I’m talking to you, and we’re talking to one another. So we need to be civil. I want this statewide. This is why I’m championing this,” McKnight said.

This article was written by Rebecca Wechter, courtesy of the NJ State House News Service