Want to Give Your Optimism a Shot in the Arm?

The second Braver Angels Red/Blue workshop will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 17. Please consider participating (registration contact is at the end of the article).

If you are disturbed by the polarization and harsh public rhetoric in our country today, you are by no means alone. Growing numbers of ordinary citizens are seriously worried about the future of our country and our society and the ability of our governments to function effectively if the divide between liberals and conservatives continues to grow.

A few years back a group of thoughtful concerned people founded a non-profit organization called Braver Angels, committed to bringing Americans together to lessen the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. Braver Angels now has members in all 50 states, and last fall it reached Fayette County.

In October a group of twenty-five thoughtful residents of La Grange and Fayette and surrounding counties, of all political stripes, met for three hours in a Braver Angels Red/Blue workshop. and had a very beneficial discussion of political matters.

Another similar workshop will be held on Thursday, Feb. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. As before, the attendees will be equally divided between Republicans and Democrats, and the discussions will be managed by two well-trained neutral moderators.

The goals of this workshop are to help the participants

• Understand better the experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide;

• Seek out areas of common ground, in addition to acknowledging and respecting differences;

• Gain insights that might help to heal the increasing polarization in our community and the nation.

The design and operation of the workshop specifically avoids any discussion aimed at changing the views of others, instead concentrating on improving understanding of and respect for differing views.

If you would like to join with others in our community to cultivate better understanding and goodwill with your neighbors, or if you just have questions about Braver Angels, please contact us at fcbraverangel@gmail.com, or send an email message to Arnold Romberg at farssr@farssr.com.

You can also request a copy of the Fayette County Record article describing the conduct and results of the October workshop.