Last month, I spent a weekend as a facilitator for the Chautauqua Forum on Democracy. Chautauqua has a reputation for quality speakers, and they did not disappoint! David Blight recounted a history of democracy from Athens to today, connecting Frederick Douglass’ writings to current challenges. Perspectives on free speech, political engagement, and dissent were offered […]
August 1998 I received my doctoral degree in August 1998, a quarter of a century ago! I’ve been reflecting on the past 25 years of my career and appreciating the opportunities I’ve had to contribute to my field and beyond. Here are some of the highlights… Dr. Tania Israel Quarter Century Reflections 25 presentations I […]
People ask me how I can be so optimistic about bridging the political divide. Well, let me tell you about a week I had recently… Tuesday: I Zoom into a meeting of an anti-racist learning circle who read my book, Beyond Your Bubble. Their insights about the importance of listening and non-defensiveness are so encouraging, […]
It’s Bi Visibility Week! Bisexuals are the largest segment of the LGBTQ community, yet we are largely invisible. This is a week to bring attention to this large and growing population (15% of Gen Z adults identify as bisexual!). The week leads up to Celebrate Bisexual Day on September 23. Here’s my agenda for Bi […]
People ask me, “how can I have a conversation with someone about politics when we can’t even agree on facts?” It’s true, people on the political Left and Right tend to pay attention to and trust different news sources, which can lead to conflicting knowledge about an issue. In this sort of situation, you might […]
Did you know that over 86% of adults in the U.S. have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, including a majority of Republicans? If you weren’t aware of these facts, you’re not alone. I asked Twitter, and the vast majority of respondents got it wrong. Pop Quiz: What percentage of adults in […]
This summer, I had the distinction of receiving Kappa Delta’s alumnae honor, The Order of the Pearl, in recognition of outstanding contributions to society. The nomination letter, written by my sisters in the Sigma Theta chapter, detailed my decades of research on LGBTQ issues, as well as my more current work on dialogue across political […]
I recently had the pleasure to speak at TEDx San Luis Obispo. My talk was called How to Win a Political Argument, and (*spoiler alert*) the idea I thought worthy of spreading is that we need to change the way we think about winning. Rather than considering winning to be about proving that you’re right […]
Have you been lamenting the dearth of whimsical political placemats during this election cycle? Let me help you rectify this problem. The Flowchart That Will Resolve All Political Conflict in Our Country is available in a Thanksgiving-themed placemat (you can order from Zazzle)! It’s the perfect salve for rifts with family and friends from the […]
Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide, Skills and Strategies for Conversations That Work was released on August 11 (which also happens to be my birthday!). Friends, family, and colleagues joined me for a virtual book release event. In the video, I talk about the book, read some excerpts, poll the audience […]