Difficult Dialogue: “Election Year Polarization: Can we stay good neighbors?"
ֱ the Event
November 2024’s US presidential election will occur against a backdrop of polarization on multiple fronts: between political parties, among various ideologies and religious affiliations, and amidst war and conflict around the globe. The stakes for this election also feel high—for civil rights, for peace around the world, and for US democracy. No matter what the outcome is after November 5, 2024, there will be people in our lives (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers) who likely will not agree with the outcomes (presidential or otherwise).
For this Fall 2024 Difficult Dialogue, we ask how we can remind ourselves of our common humanity with those we disagree with—how we can continue to be in conversation with others who did not vote the way we voted and thus who we believe may not share our values. How do we stay good neighbors even while we may have hurt feelings or recognize the hurt feelings of others? Can we break bread together, in disagreement, acknowledging fears and anxieties but also remembering that the people we face conflict with are our neighbors? Our panelists discussed how to navigate these difficult conversations around politics and polarization, and we invite our audience to share their questions, concerns, and concrete ideas for how to remain in fellowship with people whose values we may question because they are at odds with our own values.
This event was on Monday, September 16th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Grace Commons Church (Boulder, CO), in which we saw 71 attendees from the ֱ Boulder, Boulder County, and Grace Commons community.
ճDifficult Dialogue event seriesbrings together local voices to explore complex topics, fostering mutual understanding and a respectful discourse. Difficult Dialogue events aim to create a space for grappling with tough subjects that people may find difficult or uncomfortable to talk about. These events are not debates but platforms for thoughtful exchange.
Our purpose is to hold dialogues on topics considered difficult, provocative, or controversial, among constituents that may have strong conflicting views.Our objective is NOT to necessarily agree, fix anything, prove anyone right or wrong, or alter anyone’s position.
We are committed to fostering productive dialogues in the hopes that minds and hearts might expand. We ask that you:
- Keep an open mind
- Be respectful of others
- Listen with the intent to understand
- Speak your own truth
We expect to experience discomfort when talking about hard things. Remain engaged and recognize that the discomfort can lead to problem-solving and authentic understanding.