In a time when partisan bias and political division can seem both ubiquitous and insurmountable, a nonprofit is encouraging rational and civil discussion among people with conflicting ideas. Now, the New Mexico branch of Braver Angels is on solutions to homelessness.
calls their local chapters 鈥渁lliances鈥� as an example of the group鈥檚 primary driving philosophy 鈥� bringing people together. The is headed up by Barabara Regan, who leans conservative, and Marty Gerber, who leans progressive.
鈥淥ne of the aspects of Braver Angels is that the leadership at all levels, from the most local to the national, is evenly divided between left-leaning folks and right-leaning folks,鈥� Gerber said.
Regan said the group hosts workshops, discussions and regular meetings where people work to find common ground with their political opposites.
The upcoming debate, however, is its first.
鈥淲e want to hear from everybody, anybody who wants to speak. There's no hierarchy, there's no big wigs. It's like, whoever wants to come,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd it's very well moderated, so there's very good rules and procedures in place.鈥�
The group encourages people to show up early to have a chance to socialize with other attendees. Gerber said that connection can help to humanize people with different ideas.
鈥淚t's gone beyond differences of opinion to people actually having terrible views of those who think in some other way, 鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey're just stereotypes,they're the enemy. And that's the big thing that we fight against.鈥�
The topic of the debate will be combatting homelessness, and specifically whether or not taxpayers should be responsible for providing housing for all who need it. But the subject itself is just a catalyst for conversation, according to Ragan, and the debate is more focused on solving the issue of communication.
鈥淪o, at the end, the idea is you ask people, 鈥榃ell, did you learn something you didn't know before? Did something come to you that maybe you hadn't thought of before?鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hat's kind of a goal.鈥�
Gerber said the group plans to continue hosting debates, including a future one at the University of New Mexico.
The , and will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. at the at 7601 Central Avenue Northeast.
Support for this coverage comes in part from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
