MANSFIELD — Conversations about politics are largely unavoidable as the November general election approaches.
But those interactions don’t have to be something to run from.
“Political season reminds us that in a free society, we’re going to have differences of opinion,” said Jeffrey Sikkenga, executive director of The Ashbrook Center at Ashland University.
“As long as people are free to have their own opinions, there’s going to be disagreement and sometimes even passionate disagreement.”
Thursday’s Kaleidoscope Series installment aims to shed light on a path to better communication and understanding.
Investigative Journalist Amanda Ripley, who’s also a New York Times bestselling author, will be sharing her insights on human behavior and conflict resolution.
She’ll also lead group activities and provide demonstrations of a conversational technique known as “looping.” Ripley will share access to resources during and after the event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at The Renaissance Theatre, 138 Park Ave. W. in Mansfield.
The freedom to speak and the responsibility to listen
The Ashbrook Center is an independent academic center located at Ashland University, offering educational programs across the country for students, teachers and citizens.
Its mission is to promote and strengthen constitutional self-government, Sikkenga said.
“Part of that is having the freedom to speak as a citizen and the responsibility to listen to what others have to say,” he said.
“It’s very unhealthy if there’s no difference of opinion … it’s also very unhealthy where there is passionate difference of opinion and no listening, no conversation.”
The Ashbrook Center strives to promote conversation on issues of public importance.
Sikkenga said programs like Kaleidoscope promote habits of reflection and choice, as well as speaking, listening and conversation.
“Disagreeing with someone doesn’t make them your enemy,” the executive director said. “I think it’s really important for us to remember that — that we can be opponents and rivals, but not enemies.”
“I’m really looking forward to the event,” Sikkenga said of the upcoming Kaleidoscope event.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing to promote that kind of conversation in the community and to promote hearing and listening carefully on both sides.”
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Braver Angels encourages bipartisan communication, collaboration
Volunteers at Braver Angels — the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement aiming to “bridge the partisan divide” — know all about navigating conflict.
Daniel Messina decided to join the organization in 2020 when he thought it was important to have difficult conversations over what seem to be more “polarizing” topics.
“I want to be able to talk to people on the other side of my politics in a way I can be heard, so Braver Angels actually tries to do that,” said Messina, who’s now the Republican co-chair of the Northeast Ohio Braver Angels Alliance.
The organization aims to “help Americans understand each other beyond stereotypes and work to reduce the discord through workshops, debates and local engagement.”
One technique used to elevate disagreements into productive conversations is iLAPP, which stands for invite, listen, acknowledge, pivot and perspective.
“It’s a way to sort of slow down if you feel like you’re just jumping the gun a bit — if you become so emotionally geared up to the point where you’re just merely reacting and spewing talking points,” Messina said.
Having across-the-aisle conversations is something he said has been “healthy.”
“One of the things I’ve noticed about these (Braver Angels) meetings is there’s more common ground there (between parties) then we’re led to believe or is promulgated out on social media,” Messina said.
“There are people who are willing to talk about these things (difference of opinions) and talk about these things in a rational, calm manner.”
Visit the Braver Angels website to learn more and find local alliances.
