START THE CONVERSATION
Engage In Political Discourse and Use Your Voice
POLITICAL DISCOURSE
Talking about politics has always been a taboo in the United States. Along with religion and money, politics and particularly your politics fall into the category of off-limits dinner table conversation topics. As such, we are socialized and raised in an environment that frowns upon political engagement through conversation. Though one may justify the shunning of political discussion with the anger, frustration, and heated debates that usually coincide with family conversations about politics, we seldom have productive conversations about opposite political views.
In addition to being discouraged from having political discussions all together, we are not taught how to disagree with one another, in any context but especially politics. Disagreement does not inherently mean debate, nor does it inherently mean argument. Disagreement is quite simply a difference of opinion. And, no matter how much of an echo chamber your closest circles may be, everyone is bound to have a different opinion about something.
Disagreement is an inherent fact of life, and we must learn how to approach and engage in disagreement in a productive way. Let's get your gears turning on some effective ways to talk about politics with someone who believes differently than you and build a toolkit of ways to engage in political discourse.
A VALUE-BASED APPROACH
Inspired by Sharhonda Bossier's Story of Self, Us, and Now Workshop
Though we think throwing facts at another individual is the most persuasive way of getting a point across (after all, facts are irrefutable!), facts don't necessarily inspire others to change their opinion. And, importantly, facts dehumanize in a political climate already built on dehumanization. When we go about engaging in political discussions, whether or not we agree or disagree, we should approach it with values first. This will help humanize the discussion and participants and bring empathy into the equation.
1
What values inform your view of the world?
2
What is an issue that you care about? Can you pinpoint a life experience that sparked your interest in this topic?
3
Is there a single major historical event in the last 5 years that changed the way you see or engage in politics?
TAKING A STEP BACK FROM OUR OPINIONS
A key part of engaging in disagreement is being able to step back from our opinions momentarily to hear out the other person and actively listen to their point of view. If we can take a moment to step back from our opinions and think critically about how we form our opinions, we will be better prepared to listen to someone else's opinion, albeit different from ours.
1
How do you form your opinions? Do you research? Do you talk to people?
2
If you learned something new that contradicts your opinion, would you change your stance?
3
Do you think you live in an echo chamber or that your local community has a different belief system than you?
ARE YOU READY TO START THE CONVERSATION?
These are a few broad questions about your relationships to your government to get you engaged in critical conversations about politics. These questions are meant to have you think about our government system as a whole entity and how you feel about that system. Start these conversations with your friends or peers, and then see if you can take it a step further and see if your response inspires you to create change in your community or our political system!
1
Do you think your voice is heard and/or represented in our government?
2
Do you trust your government? Why or why not?
3
Are you hopeful or skeptical of the future of our country and government?