"Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice."
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Center for Peace Victoria strives to bring people in the community together for impactful conversations focusing on what we have in common instead of our differences.
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Join us October 29 for our next
Virtual Conversation Over Coffee
Political Peace Building
Click on image above to sign up.
“Political ads and media are fanning our anxiety about the other side and threatening the very fabric of our communities. Can we engage with generosity and lead with our deepest values at this time of heightened political polarization? Can we be peace builders? This conversation was designed to foster political peace building efforts within and between political affinity groups. It provides an opportunity to reflect on how we got to our current polarized climate and what the costs of that division are as we face the presidential election. What commitments can we make with ourselves and other community members to help us heal rifts and better model what a successful democratic republic can be?” Adapted from www.livingroomconversations.org
In the first half hour, participants will discuss questions with those participants who share similar political leanings. In the second half hour, participants from both sides will listen to each other’s perceptions of themselves and look for commonalities. The event will maintain the same number of participants for each political affinity group
Please register as either a conservative or a liberal leaning participant.
Paricipants will receive the Zoom link 1-2 days before.
In the first half hour, participants will discuss questions with those participants who share similar political leanings. In the second half hour, participants from both sides will listen to each other’s perceptions of themselves and look for commonalities. The event will maintain the same number of participants for each political affinity group
Please register as either a conservative or a liberal leaning participant.
Paricipants will receive the Zoom link 1-2 days before.
Having a hard time understanding how your friend or family member could be affiliated with THAT political party or support THAT candidate
when you know you share common values?
when you know you share common values?
Take a bold, brave step and invite your political polar opposite to the table and spend time processing your differences and finding your common ground. Invite a friend or family member, or let CFPV find you a conversation partner from the opposing party. The BraverAngel,org process helps you set guidelines for the conversation, then walks you both through a series of questions designed to lead both of you to a better understanding of one another. If you feel better having a neutral facilitator, CFPV can provide someone. If you are interested in a Red Blue 1:1 Conversation, email us and we will get the process going.
CFPV is supporting and working with Braver Angels in their With Malice Toward None campaign. Please watch for more peace building initiatives in the months to come. To start, participate in the 1:1 Red Blue Conversations, and look for the How to Bridge the Divide Skills Workshop in October.
The Challenge
The days following the 2020 presidential election may become the most divisive period in modern U.S. history—no matter who wins. People on the losing side will have a wide range of emotions ranging from intense disappointment to grief, rage, and despair. The temptation will be to avoid, ostracize, or attack people on the winning side. People on the winning side will feel vindicated. The temptation will be to act triumphantly towards those on the other side. Both sides will worry about how people on the other side will treat them. In other words, the days after the election could begin a dark time of polarization in the land—unless we act together to make it otherwise.
The Opportunity
That’s where the With Malice Toward None initiative comes in. We the People will have both the opportunity and the responsibility to seize the post-election moment by bringing many Americans together in our religious communities, colleges, and civic groups. The goal is to create a space for people to deal with their emotions (positive and negative), to build our capacities for working together to address our common challenges, and to commit ourselves to a renewed citizenship. This is not about covering over strong political differences or encouraging people to support whoever wins the election. It is about a commitment to respecting the humanity of those who differ from us. It is about recognizing our foundational role as citizens to be the architects and agents of a more perfect union.
The Pledge
Regardless of how the election turns out, I will not hold hate, disdain, or ridicule for those who voted differently from me. Whether I am pleased or upset about the outcome, I will seek to understand the concerns and aspirations of those who voted differently and will look for opportunities to work with people with whom I disagree.
You can add your name to the pledge here. And after you do, will you share with your friends on social media and invite them to take the pledge as well?
www.BraverAngels.org
Center for Peace Victoria is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All of your donations will go to facilitator training and event expenses as CFPV does not have any overhead or employees.
All of your donations will go to facilitator training and event expenses as CFPV does not have any overhead or employees.
