Sorry I was unable to make it. I forgot that it was my night to cook dinner. I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves, but you missed a very good Cobb salad.
One of the best conversations I've ever been a part of, and a fun, meaningful way to spend a Friday night! Grateful to have been there and to have learned from everyone.
"It would be impossible to recount the order in which attendees spoke, the arguments that they made, or all the topics that were covered—subjects ranged from K-12 schooling, to college admissions, the work of Malcolm Gladwell, Glenn Loury, and Robin DiAngelo, police violence, socio-economic class versus race, white versus black poverty, the importance of the family in shaping a child’s future, and much more."
In a dream world, the three of us (or perhaps all of us!) would sit down and try to reconstruct the substance of the entire conversation, but we all have day jobs! The main point of the post is just to report on a great event, whet appetites for the next one, and convey the message that things are not entirely hopeless in our fractured America.
I would like to read a transcript, though I’m sure that the idea of recording or even reporting notes on such a discussion was out of the question, and would’ve impeded it. What were the sticking points? Now, how to include Trump voters in such a group!
There were Trump voters there! But that didn't even come up. The conversation took place at a level higher than that of the latest election, which was refreshing.
The words "No debate" should be limited to adults telling their children to go to bed. There is always room for respectful debate and arguing when adults talk to one another.
Yes! So, where are the next conversations? Braver Angels has sometimes had similar conversations. This period of presidential transition can be that time to look back and to look forward -- and resist staying locked into an an unrealized space. Thank you for sharing.
Random idea for you all, if helpful. Obviously do with this as you will. I think having examples of dialogue are great; people will naturally wonder when reading such pieces, "But what exactly did they say?" But on the flip side, as you all know, hardly anyone is comfortable and loose in such conversations if they know it's being recorded and will be shared publicly. A strategy you might do is record the convo and then anonymize it, assigning pseudonyms. This would help you share interesting and educational content, and model constructive, respectful debate/dialogue, while keeping identities private. (I realize in this case it wouldn't work great as you've identified some of the key players, but as a general strategy for maybe other dialogues.) (Or you could release the dialogue significantly later on, so it's not clear what event it came from.) Take care!
Sounds like a great conversation, and evening, was had by all! My kind of people. I love the tradition which is taking root. Looking forward to the next gathering and signs of intelligent life/smile!
Obviously, you can't really know what people might be withholding. However, when people appear to be freely and fearlessly stating controversial views and openly disagreeing with one another, that's a clue that perhaps they are not self-censoring.
Sorry I was unable to make it. I forgot that it was my night to cook dinner. I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves, but you missed a very good Cobb salad.
Can confirm: it was an enervating evening and I’m glad to have been part of it. Looking forward to the next one!
One of the best conversations I've ever been a part of, and a fun, meaningful way to spend a Friday night! Grateful to have been there and to have learned from everyone.
Good that you communicated but what was said? How about an article on the actual conversations so we can all hear your great perspectives.
"It would be impossible to recount the order in which attendees spoke, the arguments that they made, or all the topics that were covered—subjects ranged from K-12 schooling, to college admissions, the work of Malcolm Gladwell, Glenn Loury, and Robin DiAngelo, police violence, socio-economic class versus race, white versus black poverty, the importance of the family in shaping a child’s future, and much more."
In a dream world, the three of us (or perhaps all of us!) would sit down and try to reconstruct the substance of the entire conversation, but we all have day jobs! The main point of the post is just to report on a great event, whet appetites for the next one, and convey the message that things are not entirely hopeless in our fractured America.
I would like to read a transcript, though I’m sure that the idea of recording or even reporting notes on such a discussion was out of the question, and would’ve impeded it. What were the sticking points? Now, how to include Trump voters in such a group!
There were Trump voters there! But that didn't even come up. The conversation took place at a level higher than that of the latest election, which was refreshing.
The words "No debate" should be limited to adults telling their children to go to bed. There is always room for respectful debate and arguing when adults talk to one another.
That is so encouraging! I wish more people had such attitudes. I hope that something useful to all of you comes out of this.
Yes! So, where are the next conversations? Braver Angels has sometimes had similar conversations. This period of presidential transition can be that time to look back and to look forward -- and resist staying locked into an an unrealized space. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing. Maybe when you are in Oakland?
Unfortunately, we are never up there!
Random idea for you all, if helpful. Obviously do with this as you will. I think having examples of dialogue are great; people will naturally wonder when reading such pieces, "But what exactly did they say?" But on the flip side, as you all know, hardly anyone is comfortable and loose in such conversations if they know it's being recorded and will be shared publicly. A strategy you might do is record the convo and then anonymize it, assigning pseudonyms. This would help you share interesting and educational content, and model constructive, respectful debate/dialogue, while keeping identities private. (I realize in this case it wouldn't work great as you've identified some of the key players, but as a general strategy for maybe other dialogues.) (Or you could release the dialogue significantly later on, so it's not clear what event it came from.) Take care!
Good ideas!
Sounds like a great conversation, and evening, was had by all! My kind of people. I love the tradition which is taking root. Looking forward to the next gathering and signs of intelligent life/smile!
I love you all. Thank you for creating the meeting, participating, and sharing!!! The world needs more of this. 🙏🤙🤟
Thank you!
Which challenges based solely on race do Black people in the U.S. face? Honest question - I am not clear.
How would you know whether or not people were self-censoring?
Obviously, you can't really know what people might be withholding. However, when people appear to be freely and fearlessly stating controversial views and openly disagreeing with one another, that's a clue that perhaps they are not self-censoring.