Thanks, Shredder, for calling a recess to disruptive local government meetings (“I call a recess!” Sept. 5)! Almost everyone is tired of divisive rhetoric and chaos and are looking for solutions. National groups like the League of Women Voters (LWV), Braver Angels, and the National Institute for Civil Discourse are working on this issue; hosting workshops on how to “disagree better.”
Locally, the LWV Civil Discourse committee is offering a free public forum on How to Effectively Communicate Your Ideas and Be Heard at Public Meetings in the SLO Library Community Room on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
A blend of presentations and small group discussions, this forum addresses a lot of the problems the Shredder identified. It will provide tips on how to know if you are addressing the right board for your issue, ground rules for public comment, ways to identify disinformation, and improving listening and speaking skills.
Like Shredder says, public meetings are, “slipping into social media-style incivility,” and I think one reason for that is there are not enough public forums to discuss issues that divide us outside of government meetings. Talk radio does it to some extent, but it’s one way. Pro/con newspaper columns and letters to the editor offer vital perspectives that make us think but are not conversations that allow us to share.
Another group in SLO County is starting a chapter of Braver Angels, a national organization that works to create safe spaces for people who lean “red” and people who lean “blue,” to talk about issues and search for common ground. It is hosting its first Zoom conversation, What would it take to make you believe in American elections Again?, for free on Sept. 22 (check Eventbrite).
People are working toward solutions. Things are happening. The tide is turning.
Anne Quinn
Atascadero
This article appears in Student Guide 2024.
Divisiveness and incivility have existed since the dawn of time. Workshops aren’t changing anything. Incivility and divisiveness are in the eye of the beholder. If you agree with a party the things that they say are okay. Now I’ll say it was an example of incivility when Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton
The big issue, IMHO is a certain segment of society accepts lies and misinformation as “facts”, then when called out with actual facts get their feelings hurt and cries that MSM is corrupt or “liberal” LMAOROG. CORPORATE media is liberal? Hint most in corporate media are EDUCATED, unlike Trump: ‘I Love the Poorly Educated’
Until the “right wing” gets back to reality and accept reality of truth and facts, they will be herded like sheep by the guy who has no core convictions or moral compass
Got it Shanti, ignore the entire point on FACTS and stick with your usual crap on Dems, I know it’sthe GOP who really cares about the poor, I’m sure Trump, this time, will follow through with POLICY that helps the bottom 90%, lol
It’s amazing that most of the current US debt can mainly be traced back to one party and their “tax cuts bring in more revenue” garbage, and that YOU ignore the progressive caucus (101 members in the House) which 81 members don’t take corporate or PAC money, ALL Dems, but continually attack them.
But final point, your premise about “formal education and virtue”, as usual, ignores the point about EDUCATION and the MSM being educated.
Hint, recognizing FACTS is helped through education vs following a messiah, whether it’s an orange one, one hung on a cross or one who loved weird mustaches, who go off “faith”!!
@JonK: it is a hoot to hear you call conservatives “uneducated”, when the platform of the Democrats revolves around all the “free stuff” they promise you because you are too helpless and inept to support yourselves, and need help to survive. Helpless dependency is not impressive.