Self-Exploration Checklist: Readiness for Engaging in Dialogue Across Political Lines
Engaging in dialogue across political lines can be a difficult task, even if you are highly motivated to do so. Before entering into such a conversation, it can be helpful to consider why, how, where, when, and with whom we want to have these conversations. Consider the following questions:
- What is my motivation for engaging in this dialogue (for example, do I want to understand their perspective or convince them of mine)?
- Do I possess effective communication skills to have a respectful and productive dialogue? If not, how can I acquire these skills (see resources below)?
- What would be an ideal setting to have this dialogue (e.g. time, place, group vs. individual)?
- Who is likely to be able to engage in dialogue with me in a respectful manner (e.g. colleague, friend, family member, stranger, acquaintance)?
- Can I approach a political dialogue with flexibility or am I overly attached to a particular process or outcome?
- What ways can I support myself if feelings come up during or following a dialogue?
By reflecting on these questions, we have the opportunity to identify and seek out our own optimal conditions for engaging in dialogue across political lines. These conditions might be different for different people, and some of us might realize we need to do some extra preparation before seeking out these types of conversations. Below are some resources you can use to prepare and to support yourself along the way!
Organizations
Braver Angels – https://braverangels.org/
Civil Squared – https://civilsquared.org/
Living Room Conversations – https://livingroomconversations.org/
National Institute for Civil Discourse – http://nicd.arizona.edu/
Articles and Other Resources
- We Have the Power to Unify Our Country
- The Seven Habits of Highly Depolarizing People
- White People: Don’t Unfriend Your Racist Family Members—Yet
- 10 Steps to Effective Listening
- Listening to Understand vs. Listening to Reply
- Search For Political Common Ground Is Difficult, Research Shows
- More In Common
- Moral Foundations Theory
