I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars.
If you read literature, you put yourself in somebody else's shoes. You learn from great figures in literature. 
Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts.
Civility is not simply about manners.
The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred.
A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent. 
The hallmark of our times is change and acceleration, but we have to provide the history. 
There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism.' 
History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward. 
No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling. 
Our culture is more shaped by the arts and humanities than it often is by politics. 
Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives. 