What divides us and what unites us?
Can we restore civility in our public discourse?
The America Today project involves several community organizations and individuals who are providing resources and volunteering time in an effort to change community expectations about how we discuss difficult issues.
The Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio.com) is publishing a series of stories showing the diverse ways people are experiencing the changes in the country and whom they hold responsible. The Civic Commons is partnering with the paper to provide a moderated online forum to continue the conversation in the time between story publications. The Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron and the newspaper are conducting research to determine what it is that divides people and also what circumstances must exist for people to respectfully discuss those issues.
Bliss will develop guidelines for respectful conversation, and members of the faith community intend to challenge citizens, leaders and organizations to adhere to those guidelines. Bliss also will develop a score sheet to measure whether political campaigns cross the lines of civility this fall, and the Beacon Journal will report the results.
Faith community participants include Heart to Heart Communications and Love Akron. Social researcher Alice Rodgers of New Mexico, who conducted focus groups for the Beacon Journal in its 1993 examination of race, will facilitate discussions on student loans, religion, guns, war and other topics. Decision Point Marketing and Research of Canton is organizing the groups.
NEOtropolis, a television program airing at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on Western Reserve public television, will provide occasional discussions on the community project.
Other national organizations are exploring ideas on how they also may become involved in the Akron area this year.
It's your Civic Commons, so you get to start the conversation you think is important.
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