Civility Is a Choice. Civil Rights Are a Necessity.

By Carla Buntyn, Ph.D.
June 18, 2026

In today's conversations, the words civility and civil rights are often used interchangeably, but they are not. Civility is a choice. Civil rights are a guarantee that every person should possess simply because they are human.

No one chooses the color of their skin, their sex, a disability, or the country where they are born. These are characteristics beyond our control. Yet history reminds us that millions of Americans have been denied opportunities because of those very characteristics. That is why civil rights exist, to protect people from discrimination based on what they cannot change about themselves.

As an African American, I have often wondered why my ancestors had to fight for rights they should have been guaranteed from birth. Every person should be born with equal civil rights. The right to vote, receive an education, obtain employment, purchase a home, and use public facilities should never depend on race, religion, sex, disability, or national origin. Those rights are not privileges granted by society; they are fundamental rights that should belong to everyone.

Civility, on the other hand, cannot be legislated. Kindness, respect, courtesy, and compassion are personal choices. Every day, we decide how we will treat one another. We can choose respect, or we can choose prejudice. We can choose understanding, or we can choose division.

Our nation is strongest when civility and civil rights work together. Civility creates communities built on mutual respect, while civil rights ensure that equality is protected even when respect is absent. Laws cannot force people to be kind, but they can ensure that no one is denied opportunity because of who they are.

Today, we often debate policy before we consider humanity. We argue before we listen. We judge before we understand. If we truly want stronger communities, we must commit ourselves to both civility and civil rights. One without the other leaves our society incomplete.

The measure of our nation is not simply whether we speak respectfully to one another, but whether we protect the rights of every individual equally. Civility reflects our character. Civil rights reflect our commitment to justice.

The choice to be civil belongs to each of us.

The responsibility to protect civil rights belongs to all of us. 

By Carla Buntyn, Ph.D.  
May 4, 2026

As a 50-year-old Black woman, I often find myself sitting in reflection, wondering how different my understanding of life might be if I knew then what I know now.

I am part of Generation X, specifically those of us born in the mid-1970s. We grew up in a unique moment in American history, after the major victories of the Civil Rights Movement had already been won. Because of that, many of us came of age believing that the hardest battles for equality were behind us.

We entered integrated schools. We lived in neighborhoods that were more diverse than those of our parents and grandparents. We were told, directly and indirectly, that opportunity was expanding and that America was moving forward. In school, we learned about Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fred Hampton, Stokely Carmichael, and W.E.B. Du Bois. Their struggles were powerful lessons, but to us, they were history, not our present reality.

We were taught to believe in the American Dream. We went to college, built careers, bought homes, raised families, and followed the rules. Like many others, I trusted that if you worked hard and stayed within the system, life would move in the right direction.

But life experience has a way of deepening questions you once thought were already answered.

Today, I find myself watching a country that feels more divided, not just politically, but socially and culturally in ways that are difficult to ignore. When I walk into polling places, I see how voting systems are organized around parties that often shape how people identify and separate. And over time, it has become clear that political identity and race are often discussed together in ways that reflect deeper historical divides in this country.

I also hear growing debates about whether programs like affirmative action and diversity, equity, and inclusion are still necessary. Some people believe these efforts are outdated because we are all simply Americans. Others believe they are still needed to address gaps that have never fully closed.

It is painful at times to hear terms like “reverse discrimination” used in conversations about Black Americans. From my lived experience, Black people have rarely held the majority of power in hiring, firing, or decision-making roles in most industries. Even today, Black business ownership remains very small in comparison to the overall population, around 3%, often made up of small businesses that carry significant responsibility with limited support.

As I reflect on this, I cannot ignore how history continues to shape the present. The United States was built on systems that did not originally include Black Americans as equal participants. Beginning in 1619, Black people arrived here in bondage, and the long shadow of that history still influences wealth, opportunity, and representation today.

So when I see laws, protections, and policies being debated or changed, I cannot help but ask what progress truly means, and who gets to define it.

For my generation, these are not abstract questions. We were raised to believe in equality as something already achieved, something stable. But life is now showing us that what we thought was settled may still be unsettled.

So I find myself asking: What do we do with that realization?

Do we hold on to the belief that the system will naturally correct itself over time? Or do we accept that every generation may be called to engage in the work of protecting rights and expanding opportunity?

And perhaps the deeper question is this: What is the American Dream today?

Is it simply success through hard work? Is it equal opportunity in practice, not just in theory? Or is it something we are still struggling to fully define as a nation?

I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I do know this: the conversation about equality, opportunity, and justice is not over. And for Generation X, it is becoming increasingly personal, as we realize that history is not as far behind us as we once believed.

By Kirkpatrick Williams, Ph.D.
April 27, 2026

Economic momentum is building across the Ark-La-Tex region, with new investments in infrastructure, education, and private industry signaling a period of growth. From proposed data centers to the expansion of higher education opportunities in Shreveport, leaders are making decisions that could shape the region for decades.

These developments offer clear benefits. New projects can create jobs, increase tax revenue, and attract additional business interest. The planned law school expansion in Shreveport, for example, has the potential to strengthen the local workforce and provide new opportunities for students across north Louisiana.

However, growth without careful planning can bring unintended consequences. Residents near proposed industrial sites have raised concerns about noise, environmental impact, and quality of life. Similarly, large-scale economic shifts, such as casino ownership changes or new technology investments, can alter local economies in ways that are not immediately visible.

The challenge for policymakers is not whether to pursue growth, but how to manage it responsibly. Transparent decision-making, community input, and long-term planning must remain central to every major project. Public trust depends on clear communication and a willingness to address concerns before they become problems.

Local governments, business leaders, and community organizations all play a role in shaping this balance. Economic development should not come at the expense of the people it is meant to benefit.

As the Ark-La-Tex region continues to grow, the focus must remain on sustainable progress. The decisions made today will define not only economic success, but also the quality of life for future generations.

Editorials represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ark-La-Tex Gazette, its Editor-in-Chief, or its staff. Those interested in submitting an editorial may contact editor@thearklatexgazette.com. Submissions must be well-written and free of profane or vulgar language. Publication is at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.