The Work and Rewards of Civility

Posted by on December 14, 2018 at 4:51 PM

Featured Blog: Open Primaries - The Fight for Open Elections - New Mexico

It is incredibly easy to get angry when talking politics. In fact, we’re hardwired to be less understanding with members of the “other team.” So how do we overcome these strong, natural tendencies to get angry and/or dehumanize political “opponents”? With practice. That is why CEO Ken White of Junior State of America invited Brooke Deterline to teach members “how to cultivate compassion for others even when they don’t agree with them” as part of its Courageous Democracy program.

Meanwhile, the Village Square and NICD are showing just how rewarding that work can be. The Village Square’s Respect + Rebellion series features friendships that have blossomed despite political differences. A recent Ted Talk put a spotlight on one of these friendships -- a pair of mothers named Caitlin and Lauran who are political opposites, but absolutely love each other. And candidates who took NICD’s “Positive Campaign Workshop” over the summer won 9 out of 11 elections this past November.

(1) Be sure to check out Living Room Conversation’s #12DaysofReflection Challenge. Use the hashtag -- starting today -- to answer one question each day about what conversation means to you.

(2) We would like to congratulate TechCongress’ 2019 Congressional Innovation Fellows. Welcome to the Bridge Alliance family!

Happy Holidays and, as always, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Bridge Alliance Education Fund
(Be sure to check out our sister site at BridgeAlliance.Us)

 

Bridge Alliance Members in the News:

Issue One; R Street Institute - The Fiscal Times - How Congress Got So Broken

IVP; Open Primaries; Represent.Us - IVN.us - 7 Monumental Developments in Nonpartisan Reform to Watch in 2019

POGO - The Register - Microsoft says it's time to get serious about facial recognition rules: 'Laws and regulations are ...

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