On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the United States stands at a crossroads. The nation faces critical dilemmas and existential challenges. It will take every person’s voice and imagination to build a political culture where we can overcome them together.
That is the promise of dialogue in this moment.
Whether it’s a facilitated small group conversation or a lively talk over coffee, dialogue is the most important vehicle for the views, hopes, and values of everyday people.
Dialogue lays the foundation for everything that comes next in politics, from navigating disagreements to collaboration and movement-building. It dictates what issues matter most, which platforms will be considered, and how we will treat people with different views, values, and identities.
To have a stronger democracy, we need to practice healthier dialogue.
Our approach, Reflective Structured Dialogue, defuses polarization, roots us in our values, humanizes people with different views, and creates a space for authentic connection. RSD helps you lean toward one another in hard times and remember your common bonds during conflict.
This guide uses a streamlined version of our approach to help you bring together neighbors, friends, classmates, and coworkers to talk about what the United States means to you.
Talking about your experience and values is a starting point for healthier conversations about specific topics and policy choices. The goal is not to change minds or win arguments, but to see one another as greater than the sum of our differences.
Included here are tips for healthier communication and five sets of dialogue prompts, each with a purpose statement. Choose the one that feels right for your context.
If more training would help you put this guide to use, consider registering for an upcoming EP workshop. If your community, campus, school, or institution needs more support, reach out to us for a free consultation.
We believe in you, the people.