Democracy Requires That We Be Brave Enough

While in Washington, DC, recently for a national convening examining student democratic engagement during the election, a Ginsberg Center staff member attended a Supreme Court hearing. As Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor in particular raised questions, the ways in which our identities are shaped and politicized came into focus.  The fate of a man’s life was being considered by Justices whose personal and constitutional views were undoubtedly shaped by their own lived experiences.  And yet, they asked thoughtful questions, considered context and listened to understand, with a willingness to negotiate where they stood on the issue.

Our democracy requires that we be brave enough to ask, “What can we learn from each other, even - and especially - when we disagree?”  

The recent election cycle has been filled with identity-related dialogue that is incredibly personal and has consequences that extend far beyond the debate stage. College campuses represent an important element of our unfolding reality, as administrators grapple with issues of safety, free speech, difficult dialogues, and inclusion. The University of Michigan is no exception, with reported physical assaults and messages of intimidation occurring in our community. In this time of political polarization, we are tasked with ensuring the safety and rights of our students while encouraging a model of active citizenship which requires all of us to engage the issues, even and especially when that requires intellectual discomfort. But how well do we really do this, in concept and in practice?

Social and political identities are inextricably linked, and often the most difficult spaces to navigate are those nearest to our hearts.   As educators, we ask students to reflect daily about their views, and how the lens through which they view the world has been shaped.  Many students have never been challenged to think critically about what they believe, or asked to articulate why; they enter these spaces mirroring the beliefs and values of those that they were raised around. As a result of examining the ‘why’ they sometimes forge independent political identities, often in conflict with how they have been socialized among family and peer groups.

A recent workshop at the Ginsberg Center focused on how to navigate challenging conversations with loved ones and brought in a group of students who were diverse in terms of identities and viewpoints. Nearly all in attendance expressed a desire to delve into conversations about public policy, social identities, equity and access to resources with family and friends across differing political ideologies – and an anxiety that they didn’t know how to do this. Participants discussed strategies for managing difficult dialogue effectively including knowing your audience, considering keywords to include or leave out, using ‘I’ statements, listening to understand, and self-care. As students left, most recognized that listening to differing points of view could be a catalyst for learning, while also recognizing that in doing so they were not required to endorse beliefs that run counter to their values.

As we move forward, self-awareness and the ability to engage in challenging conversations are essential. Challenging conversations are not meant to deny anyone’s feelings or concerns, but are meant to be spaces to express who we are, what we believe and how our views have been formed. And to listen to and hear that information from others. Democracy is at its best when we challenge ourselves to reach beyond the echo chamber of affirmations from like-minded voices. College campuses are uniquely positioned to encourage civil discourse, activism, and resistance; our students are here to learn not only from educators and course readings but from each other and those that make up the communities they inhabit. In classrooms, residence halls, student organizations, student government, and off-campus involvements, students often encounter people from very different backgrounds and with differing perspectives, and as a result, have rich opportunities for deep dialogue. We must be better at fostering and supporting those encounters.

Democracy requires that we be brave enough to ask, “What can we learn from each other?” - and that we be brave enough to remain in conversation. Diversity of thought is necessary for lasting progress to be made, and for our democracy to be sustained; when we challenge ourselves and each other to truly engage across our differences, we have the capacity to move forward. Together. 

Authors:
Erin Byrnes, Lead: Democratic Engagement and Community-Based Work-Study; Mary Jo Callan, Director; Dave Waterhouse, Associate Director,  Edward Ginsberg Center, University of Michigan