Everywhere we look, including in many of our own families, we see good people unable to talk to each other due to differences of opinion, values, and political parties.
Founded after the 2016 election, bridge-building group Braver Angels seeks to depolarize America and promote skillful and respectful dialogue across political and other divides. Engaging in civic dialogue does not mean lessening in any way one’s commitment to social justice as one understands it, but it does require self-awareness and good communication skills.
Braver Angels workshops are about strengthening our community and democracy. Helpful first steps involve humble self-enquiry: How might I, and others in my “tribe,” make these conflicts worse through processes like oversimplifying, lumping together, dismissing, and disparaging people who support candidates and causes I adamantly disagree with?
If this challenging inner work interests you, consider participating in a free workshop this month titled “Depolarizing Ourselves,” hosted and moderated by our local Braver Angels group. It will happen Saturday, Feb. 21, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at the Easthampton Public Library Annex, 52 Main Street, Easthampton. The workshop is free, but registration at this link is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/depolarizing-ourselves-registration-1979388966683?aff=oddtdtcreator. You could also email us for the link at depolarizewmass@gmail.com.
Neil Glickman
Leeds