Red/Blue workshop set for Feb. 23
Democrats and Republicans alike will have a chance to exerted an olive branch of sorts next weekend in Fort Myers.
Better Angles, a non-profit whose mission is to unite “red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America,” will be holding a Red/Blue Workshop at Unity Church of Fort Myers on Feb. 23 from 1-4 p.m.
The workshop will involve bringing together Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning residents for structured conversations with a focus on listening and reflecting-rather than debating and persuading.
“What a cool concept,” said District 7 Councilmember Jessica Cosden, who is a member of the Better Angles and helped organize the event. “The idea is to reduce the polarization in America.”
People can register to be a participant, an observer/alternate or to simply attend and listen.
If you register as an observer/alternate, you may be called on to participate if a spot needs to be filled.
Goals of the workshop include:
– To better understand the experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide.
– To seek out areas of common ground in addition to acknowledging and respecting differences.
– To gain insights that might help to heal in increasing polarization in our community and the nation.
The workshop will engage participants on the relevant landscape of the political realm today.
The idea is something Cosden has felt as a councilmember in Cape Coral.
“Since I’ve been on council, I find that ideas are not always partisan,” she said. “It can divide people in a nasty way. And not just politically. I really think something can be said for listening.”
She said the workshop is not intended to change people’s minds, per say, but to potentially get people to listen and understand a different point of view.
“People have been missing out on friendships and connections because of a divide in political views,” she said.
This is something Cosden hopes will help fill the gap.
This will be the first Red/Blue Workshop in Southwest Florida, as these events have been held in states across the country for more than two years.
The workshops were a feature story on “Nightline” in July of 2018.
To register for the event and for more information on Better Angels, membership and what they do, visit www.better-angels.org.
Unity Church is at 11120 Ranchette Road in Fort Myers.
You may also register on www.Eventbrite.com by searching “Red/Blue Workshop.”
-Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj
Red/Blue workshop set for Feb. 23
Democrats and Republicans alike will have a chance to exerted an olive branch of sorts next weekend in Fort Myers.
Better Angles, a non-profit whose mission is to unite “red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America,” will be holding a Red/Blue Workshop at Unity Church of Fort Myers on Feb. 23 from 1-4 p.m.
The workshop will involve bringing together Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning residents for structured conversations with a focus on listening and reflecting-rather than debating and persuading.
“What a cool concept,” said District 7 Councilmember Jessica Cosden, who is a member of the Better Angles and helped organize the event. “The idea is to reduce the polarization in America.”
People can register to be a participant, an observer/alternate or to simply attend and listen.
If you register as an observer/alternate, you may be called on to participate if a spot needs to be filled.
Goals of the workshop include:
* To better understand the experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide.
* To seek out areas of common ground in addition to acknowledging and respecting differences.
* To gain insights that might help to heal in increasing polarization in our community and the nation.
The workshop will engage participants on the relevant landscape of the political realm today.
The idea is something Cosden has felt as a council member in Cape Coral.
“Since I’ve been on council, I find that ideas are not always partisan,” she said. “It can divide people in a nasty way. And not just politically. I really think something can be said for listening.”
She said the workshop is not intended to change people’s minds, per say, but to potentially get people to listen and understand a different point of view.
“People have been missing out on friendships and connections because of a divide in political views,” she said.
This is something Cosden hopes will help fill the gap.
This will be the first Red/Blue Workshop in Southwest Florida, as these events have been held in states across the country for more than two years.
The workshops were a feature story on “Nightline” in July of 2018.
To register for the event and for more information on Better Angels, membership and what they do, visit www.better-angels.org.
Unity Church is at 11120 Ranchette Road in Fort Myers.
You may also register on www.Eventbrite.com by searching “Red/Blue Workshop.”
-Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj