Ciaran O’Connor hosts a dynamic roundtable.The conversation grows and develops through a series of speeches supporting or opposing the resolution. For a less experienced Chair, two hours is probably a reasonable duration. They promote an engaged and energetic conversation with enthusiasm, humor and, when necessary, with calm and steady firmness. Better Angels is a national citizens’ movement to reduce political polarization in the United States by bringing liberals and conservatives together to understand each other beyond stereotypes, forming red/blue community alliances, teaching practical skills for communicating across political differences, and making a strong public argument for depolarization. Organizers often plan a social event immediately after the debate, so that people can continue to connect.You should be confident that, after training, you’ll be able to:They know and apply the rules consistently and even-handedly, and engage with good-natured confidence in the running of the debate.
They ensure the delivery of an experience that participants want to repeat.The skillful choice of a resolution (the idea under discussion), together with a highly structured format, encourages the passionate and energetic expression of ideas and, likewise, the passionate and energetic challenging and supporting of those ideas through questions and subsequent speeches. Better Angels Debates are especially ideal for those just starting to take an interest in politics, or those that have an interest but would like an opportunity to try out different ideas or policy positions for size. The goal of a Better Angels Debate is not to “win” the argument. Better Angels debates encourage this, as the best debating happens when people can speak their mind without fear of being shut down. A Braver Angels Debate is a different kind of debate in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. Ideally, at least half of the participants give speeches and more than two-thirds ask at least one question.What do we mean by “cancel culture?” And why has America struggled so mightily to contain the coronavirus? For this conversation, the white speaker is Cameron Swallow, a Braver Angels leader and local bluegrass musician in Wisconsin. A Better Angels Debate is a different kind of debate in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. Their objective is to facilitate the debate, not to be in the spotlight.Usually a debate should go for at least an hour. Two hours is a good time frame, and three or more is not unheard of, if interest and energy is high, and the group is prepared for it. You can watch two short videos about Better Angels Debates at https://www.better-angels.org/debates/. A Braver Angels Debate is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. They provide correction and offer guidance with kindness and tact.This article, however, features speakers across a racial rather than a partisan divide.
After a participant speaks, the Chair asks for one or two questions from the body. Rather, it is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people listen carefully and meaningfully engage with each other’s ideas on a difficult issue. About a week later, Ms. Lawson came back, joined by Mr. David Blankenhorn.
Join the Braver Angels email list to get updates on our work, find events near you, and learn how to get involved.What do we mean by “cancel culture?” And why has America struggled so mightily to contain the coronavirus? Everybody who attends is free to speak; nobody is relegated to “observer” status. A Braver Angels Debate is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be touched and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. The Black speaker is Austin Willacy, a professional songwriter, musician, and activist near Oakland, California.Ayishat and John compare notes on the projects of empathy building across the divides in both Britain and America.