The Power of Respect
by Ephraim Churchill, journalism/staff writer
The most interesting aspect of my experience was how quickly my nerves, which were so rampant to begin with that I almost didn’t participate, either went away completely or turned into nothing but excitement as our conversation got started. It took only a few moments for me to realize that this process we were on would lead to beneficial, eye-opening engagement. The first and absolute most important aspect of our discussion was the mutual respect and kindness that was presented to us by our counterparts. We talked openly and deeply about many topics. Ones we agreed on, such as Healthcare, Gun Violence, and The Justice system. As well as topics where our opinions differed, such as Abortion, Immigration, and Mental Health. Through all these topics however one thing remained consistent. Our mutual understanding and respect for each other.
We Are Not That Different
by Ruth Wiseman, associates of science
My biggest takeaway is that we are not actually that different. Besides coming from different places, with different beliefs and ideas on how things should be done, we agreed on what the end result should be. We both wanted what was best for our country and agreed that we are stronger together as opposed to apart. I would suggest this program for others because all you hear about in the news is how different we are, and how it is too big a gap to reconcile. Unify America showed me that that gap can be bridged, and honestly, isn’t even that large to begin with. I believe that the benefits of a program like this outweigh the negative possibilities because not only does it bring together people with completely different lives, it also shows you how to communicate and listen to others’ perspectives. Something that, before I did this, I didn’t even realize how important it truly was.
Assumed Vitriol, Conversational Reality
by JD Ford, English
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned at PPSC this year is that even small efforts can make a difference when we understand big things, and the biggest thing we can understand is each other. Understanding requires us to intentionally build community and actively communicate with people who think differently from us. As a nation, we must prioritize this skill and demand our elected officials do the same. Practicing these skills is exactly what Unify America aims to achieve.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Understanding requires us to intentionally build community and actively communicate with people who think differently from us.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
United State of Minds
by Dewayne Sullivan, communication (sports)
Despite being on the opposite of the political scale, we seemed very much aligned with wanting peace and tranquility from both sides and the way things are going today makes that dream very far-fetched. My major takeaway is this, I learned that despite voting red or blue, being black or white, man or woman, suburban boy or country girl, we’re all a part of the same team known as the human race. Maybe if we all as a country could see life as that, we all could win every year. This made me curious to look outside of my own party just to see what others are talking about and thinking about. Maybe there’s more people like Perri who happened to vote red, maybe it’s a generational idea where young adults have all these logs and receipts of the events that take place behind closed doors in the Whitehouse. We could all have educated opinions formed by themselves rather than passed down by their parents from generation to generation, but because of the major talking heads on television and radio, they only care about winning a debate rather than unifying a nation. It didn’t make me hopeful nor woeful about this nation’s future, but I do know that there are people who have more tranquil, unique, educated, and peaceful ways to truly make America great. Period.
Political Debate Minus the Drama
by Tauri Bissegger, English
I would absolutely do this challenge again. It is reassuring to know that so many people want to understand each other and have tough conversations. The questions did not shy away from the hard topics. They ask about abortion, homelessness, immigration, free speech, etc. Reading the prompts aloud makes you tense for a moment, like you know you are about to jump into the deep end and that vulnerability is palpable. But the moment one of you starts reflecting, the mood shifts to understanding and finding commonality. These talks are about capacity-building opportunities. If you have ever shied away from heavy discussions because the situation felt too out of your comfort zone, Unify America has created a near perfect space to engage and hopefully grow.
Bridging the Age Gap
by Annika Barber, geology
In all I would say the main topics of our conversation revolved around honesty, trust, and integrity. One part of the conversation was about receiving false or extremely bias information and what to do with it. A lot of people I know today are very aggressive about the politics or world problems of todays. Those people stick to that opinion and then tend to get hostile. People start to get mean and defensive if someone disagrees, they are easily controlled and persuaded. We talked about how much of an issue it was to let things like that control you to the point of aggression. Jose and I both agreed that people need to be truer to heart and understanding towards other ideas. Integrity came up on the topic of discussing the future of the world. Him being a dad, he as well believed that the children of today are the future. To make that future great parents must have the integrity to teach their kids what is right. Right and wrong are truly personal definitions so the focus would be parents who are mentally stable and responsible enough to raise up that same mentality in children. In all Jose and I believe in taking on a good character and being kind to others. I truly left unified from this video chat and felt a sense of hope for America even in the older and younger generations.
Separation, Deliberation, Unification
by Daniel Hoggard, architecture
These types of discussions are not to try and change the other person’s mind all the time. Sometimes its just about hearing a different perspective and growing yours. Being stagnant in your own beliefs is a dangerous trap. It leads to not giving people respect purely because they don’t agree with you. Being right in a discussion should never be the goal. Instead focus on learning from it, as Albert Einstein said “The Measure of intelligence is the ability to change and change for the better. This doesn’t mean to completely abandon your beliefs however, otherwise you apply very little to a conversation other than other people opinions and not your own. We may come to the same conclusion in the end, but the way that we get there varies greatly. Why would want to all think the exact same way? That would be boring. This is also how compromises can come into play where you can balance out how you think on a subject. No person thinks the same on this planet, this the reason for conflict. But it is also helps us continually better ourselves as civilization.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Academic discussion, especially around politics, is a really important aspect of a democracy.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We Have Way More in Common Than We Think
by Jonathan Wiseman, math and physics
I found this experience to be valuable to me in two ways. First, I found that meeting someone online to discuss politics does not have to be a scary endeavor. Although I would describe me and my partner as opposites on the political spectrum, there were still a number of points we could agree on, and even on the topics we disagreed on there was value to hearing someone else’s opinion or experience. Secondly, I think it is very important to be able to communicate with someone who does not share the same values that you do. Academic discussion, especially around politics, is a really important aspect of a democracy. If there is no communication between sides, and all everyone hears is “guess what they did” both sides will cease to have functional discussions.
People Are Not the Internet
by Kegan Pike, theatre
At the end of the 90 minutes, we both smiled and thanked each other for their time. When my computer screen went blank and the prompt at the heading in front of me thanked me for attending I couldn’t help but reflect over the last hour and a half, I cracked a smile and laughed at myself a little bit. Before our talk I had been so nervous, worried that some uptight conservative would talk down to me because I didn’t want bible study in public schools or some liberal would call me a fascist for not fully supporting all forms of immigration. Preya was a joy to speak with she was a real person somewhere halfway across the country living her own life as another citizen surrounded by a million topics nobody fully understands. The internet paints every political conversation as a massive argument between two opposing factions that can’t work out the problem because they can’t resolve their differences. The internet is like that but not people, not in person anyway. If more of us would just sit down and talk we might realize we have a lot more in common than we do in difference. Unify America is an intriguing program that promotes a valuable resource that is often lost in our digital age of the internet: open and in-person communication. I highly recommend it, and I believe Preya would say the exact same thing.
Finding Unity Beyond Politics: My Talk with Leah
by Lindsay Kelly, communication
I thought it was interesting getting paired up with someone younger than me. Our discussion included us taking turns reading the questions that were given, and then discussing our answers related to the question. The program had 20 questions for you and your partner to discuss, and included videos for the more challenging topics. She was very easy to talk to, and as the conversation went on, I was less nervous. The thing that I found most interesting about the experience was that we were not affiliated with the same political party, yet we agreed on everything. This was super eye-opening to me because it shows that people can still agree regardless of what party they are affiliated with. I would definitely suggest this to others. I learned a lot about myself and about the world through this program.
Differences Don’t Define U.S.
by Abram Salazar, theatre
I could go on all day about how good the experience was because of how simple it was to sign up and get started to have a discussion, and how cool and comfortable it was to speak to an understanding human being. However, I loved how it made me think. That is what stuck with me. I wanted to do more research and learn about this topic that I had a strong opinion on. So, I’d say Unify America is kind of successful in bringing people together about topics they disagree with. I still sit with my opinion and view, but this time with an open mind of how others think and feel. It was really cool. So overall, Unify America was very fun and I’d try it out again.
Bonding Over Differences
by Veronica Nourani-Young, theatre
My biggest takeaway was that there are ways to have a respectful conversation while still disagreeing and even though someone doesn’t think like you, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hear them out and be open to conversations. With that being said, I would most definitely recommend this program to others, and let them know it’s OK to be nervous but to stay open and be respectful when there are disagreements. It’s meant to bring people together, not be a heated debate. The benefits from this program are that it teaches you how to respectfully have a discussion with someone that might not agree with you, it shows you that politics doesn’t have to be a huge debate and fight to be right, and it builds strong communication skills.
Get Out of Your Bubble
by Elizabeth Wiseman, undecided
I took a lot away from this online discussion, and I have started to understand the importance of getting out of your ‘bubble’. Nowadays, everyone is surrounded by people that agree, with their opinions and come from the same background, this is exactly why it has become so important to get out in the world. Talking with someone, from a totally different childhood, made me notice how much our political views are influenced by where we grew up, and life experiences.
