糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Braver Angels to host workshop that teaches people how to hold difficult political conversations
Braver Angels holds a workshop on how to have difficult political conversations.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Applied Communication and Braver Angels of Central Arkansas will hold a free online workshop to teach critical skills that will help people hold conversations that cross the political divide.
The workshop, which is also sponsored by the Central Arkansas Library System, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14. The 鈥淪kills for Bridging the Divide鈥� workshop will teach participants how to navigate discussions with empathy and openness while avoiding demonization and contempt. These skills will help people have more respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship.
Prior to the event, those registered can participate in a 40-minute online training. After a brief review of these skills at the online workshop, participants will have the opportunity to pair with a person with a similar political affiliation to practice their conversation skills in difficult political conversations.
鈥淩ecent polls show that a majority of Americans feel our country is more divided than ever, and increasingly view members of the opposite political party as not just wrong鈥攂ut bad people,鈥� said Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, chair of the Department of Applied Communication. 鈥淎t the same time, Americans are increasingly divided into bubbles and echo chambers with limited exposure to 鈥榯he other side,鈥� consuming news that confirms their opinions and stereotypes.鈥�
Launched in 2016, Braver Angels is a bipartisan citizen鈥檚 movement that works to help bridge the political divide between 鈥渞eds鈥� and 鈥渂lues鈥� in our nation. By bringing red and blue Americans together in a working alliance, Braver Angels are building new ways to talk to one another, participate together in public life, and influence the direction of the nation.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 polarized environment, political conversations often turn angry and counterproductive,鈥� said Glen White, state coordinator of Braver Angels Arkansas. 鈥淏raver Angels helps people listen and understand without arguing, to build trust, clarify disagreements, and find common ground based on common values and humanity.鈥�
Those interested can register at . For more information on joining or observing the workshop, contact Glen White at [email protected] or April Chatham-Carpenter at [email protected].
