Letter: For Red/Blue discussion, more Reds needed

Posted 12/12/18

To the editor:

Two week ago Michelle, a conservative Republican, and Elizabeth, a liberal Democrat, wrote to describe the free, day-long Red/Blue workshop we are organizing in Westport under the …

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Letter: For Red/Blue discussion, more Reds needed

Posted

To the editor:

Two week ago Michelle, a conservative Republican, and Elizabeth, a liberal Democrat, wrote to describe the free, day-long Red/Blue workshop we are organizing in Westport under the auspices of Better Angels, a grassroots movement working to reduce the current political hostility between conservatives and liberals. We wrote seeking a small number of people from both sides of the aisle to participate in the workshop on Saturday, January 5. In addition, we sought another 15 spectators, Red, Blue, or in between.

The response was lopsided. Many Blues contacted Elizabeth. They generally expressed dismay at the divisiveness of our politics and a wish for the days when discussing current events was possible, when diversity of political opinion was not cause for anger. Not only do Blues want to hear how Reds came to their point of view, but they need to understand what it is Blues are saying that so antagonizes Reds. 

There were many fewer responses from Reds. We understand this is not unusual. Conservatives tend to see the workshop as a lefty set-up in which they will be attacked. How can we convince you that this could never happen? Not only was Better Angels founded by an equal number of Reds and Blues, but the moderators who run the workshop are trained to prevent discord and foster mutual respect. Neither arguing nor attempting to persuade is allowed. The whole point of the exercises and exchange of ideas is to give a human face to the opposition and to find common ground. 

We cannot proceed with the workshop without an equal number of right-leaning Republicans. This is an absolute requirement of any Better Angels meeting. But beyond that, there is no point to the workshop, if Democrats do not get to hear what Republicans are really thinking — as opposed to what the media is saying they are thinking. 

Dear Republicans, please consider joining us to make this workshop happen. Bring a spouse or a relative or a friend with whom you disagree and to whom you feel you must avoid talking politics. Keep the beliefs with which you come, but learn how to talk and listen to the other side without apoplexy or fear of attack. A full day is a lot of time to devote to any activity, particularly one about which you may have doubts. But it is the one thing we can all do as individuals to further our shared goal of healing our divided country. 

Michelle Orlando and Elizabeth Marcus

Westport

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.