A Political Odd Couple's Advice On Finding Common Ground
by Eugene Provenzo and Jack Thompson
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1019/p09s01-coop.html
-
How does the story of the authors’ relationship strike you? Were you surprised? Puzzled? Inspired? Unmoved? Disapproving? Why? Have you ever experienced a valued or collaborative relationship that grew despite passionate differences about other matters?
-
What do you make of the authors’ assertion that no one person can ever have complete or absolute answers? Why do you think this way? How do your views influence the way you talk to people with whom you disagree?
-
If you were to overhear political opponents talking animatedly about the “common ground” for America, what do you hope they would be discussing? What “common ground” do you think representatives of the political parties could “occupy together” to our collective benefit?
-
The authors’ relationship was enriched by learning about each others’ heroes. What might others learn about you and your aspirations by understanding who your heroes are and why you admire them? What difference might it make if someone you view as a political opponent recognized and deeply understood your choices? If you understood his or hers?
-
How have you demonized or been demonized by people who voted differently than you in the 2004 national election? How did the experience of being demonized affect you? What do you wish that those who disagreed with you could have understood about your candidate’s character, beliefs, values, and worldviews? About yours? What do your answers to these questions suggest about what you may misunderstand about those you demonize?
-
Do you share the authors’ view that the political spectrum is a myth? Why? What would be lost if the spectrum metaphor were abandoned? Gained? What metaphor would you nominate to replace it? Why?
-
What do you think are the hallmarks of “healthy discourse”?
-
In conversing with an opponent, what potential benefits (might) make it worth becoming open to the “potential of being persuaded” by what you learn?
-
In what ways do you fit the picture the authors draw of people who get information from a narrow range of media and surround themselves with likeminded individuals? What would it take for you to talk more than you do now with people outside your “ideological clique” or expose yourself to more diverse sources of information?
-
The authors end by challenging you to transform your concern about what is happening in American society into efforts to “engage yourself in dialogues and discussions with people who are fundamentally different from you - or at least appear to be.” What would you need to take up their challenge?
-
What questions does this article raise for you? If Eugene Provenzo and Jack Thompson were here, what question would you ask them to deepen your understanding of their views?
|
|
|
Home
Resources
