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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., (WJHL) – “What would you do?” This thought-provoking query was posed by ABC correspondent and host John Quiñones to students at East Tennessee State University during the university’s Civility Week.
Civility Week serves as a period for the ETSU community to engage in reflection, encouraging open conversations, mutual understanding, and the strengthening of community ties.
“What is civility?” asked John Quiñones, the host of ‘What Would You Do?’ He described it as an expression of compassion—extending a helping hand when possible, and striving to understand those who are different. It also involves taking a stand against injustice.
Quiñones delivered his speech at the D.P. Culp Student Center, discussing the principles that inspired his show and celebrating the university’s focus on ethics and morality.
“What do people do when they believe no one is watching?” he pondered. “Ultimately, that’s the true test of character. It’s not about our actions when we are observed—that’s straightforward. It’s about what we choose to do when we think no one is watching.”
Since the start of his career, Quiñones has looked on the bright side, highlighting feel-good stories and acts of kindness gone unseen amid an ever-changing news cycle.
“I knew there were positive stories out there, but no one was telling them,” he said. “I wanted to be the one to tell those stories … There’s enough bad news. I’ve done many hidden camera investigations, really serious stories about illegal immigration swimming across the Rio Grande and unsanitary meatpacking plants and the stories about children who live in the sewers in Colombia. I wanted to do stories with hidden cameras about ethics and morals.”
Seventeen seasons of ‘What Would You Do?’ later, and it seems the show has really made a mark on younger audiences, as Quiñones spent time with ETSU students.
“I think kids love watching the show because they want to remind us that we’re screwing up,” he said. “We’re messing up on certain things. We’re not as open-minded as we might be, the older folks.”
Quiñones recalled his first days as a journalist when he spoke to News Channel 11, admitting it was intimidating, but he grew into it.
“I still get a little nervous,” he said. “In my 20s, I worked for a local station, I didn’t know whether I would make it. I was a radio reporter, but I had never been on camera, so I was really nervous, but then I caught on really quickly and it came easy to me.”
As he looked back, he gave some advice, not only to his younger self, but to anyone chasing a dream.
“Don’t let the naysayers sway you,” said Quiñones. “You’ll be told many times that you won’t make it. Just block those people out and concentrate on on those who do help and support you.”
ETSU Civility Week will continue until March 28.