What we’re about
Civil, respectful conversation with people with different political views?
Yes, it is possible. We’re doing it and you can, too.
Crossing Party Lines is YOUR brave space to meet and talk with people you disagree with and may not even understand. You might have fun!
Our events include:
- DISCUSSIONS: We meet as small groups where you can talk to real people about the issues that divide us. Share your unique insights, encounter new perspectives and new ways of looking at the world, and experience what it's like to feel heard and understood.
You'll find that it is possible to disagree in a way that leaves you feeling true to yourself and your beliefs without losing your friends or your cool.
- WORKSHOPS: We teach the skills you need to effectively talk across differences. You will learn ways to foster curiosity and invite listening, acquire strategies for overcoming common communication barriers, and develop the confidence to talk politics with people you know, live, and work with.
- COMMUNITY EVENTS: We’re not just about talking – we’re also about community. We host game nights, screen videos, share books, and offer many other ways of connecting across differences.
At all events, trained facilitators set the tone of the discussion and help the group build trust. Come see what civil, respectful conversation is like. Who knows, you might make friends with someone you disagree with!
More about Crossing Party Lines:
We are a national nonprofit with chapters in eight states. Because we believe that the success of America’s unique democracy relies on the diversity of our viewpoints, we encourage people of all political views and parties to join and participate.
Come learn, explore, practice, and grow with us. Join this grassroots movement and become the change in your community.
Note: Due to COVID, most of our events are online. Unless otherwise stated, events are open to all Crossing Party Lines chapters, giving you a chance to interact with people from all over the country.
Sponsors
See allUpcoming events (2)
See all- Network event7 attendees from 10 groups hostingBook Club: The Color of LawLink visible for attendees
May's book is The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein.
This book argues that racial segregation in the United States is not the result of individual prejudices or income differences, but rather the direct consequence of deliberate government policies at the local, state, and federal levels. Rothstein documents the history of state-sponsored segregation, beginning in the late 1800s and continuing through most presidential administrations. He examines the role of subsidized housing, racially restrictive covenants, white flight, blockbusting, and violence against Black homeowners in perpetuating segregation.
Learn more about this month's book by downloading this one-page primer.
About CPL Book Club:
This monthly gathering's mission is simple: to explore profound opinions and accounts of our nation’s and the world’s most critical issues through in-depth books. But it’s not just about reading - it’s about embracing diverse perspectives, sparking discussions, and sharing thoughts with fellow explorers of knowledge.What you’ll get out of book club: our hope is for you to dare to dive deep, analyzing topics and navigating the twists and turns of politics together. If you share a passion for continuous learning and want to explore the intricacies of our world’s challenges, then this club is your intellectual haven (or entry) into finding out more.
How It Works:
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We will announce our book list 6 months in advance in the hopes of giving our members time to acquire, read, and consider the books prior to our meetings. We will start with an initial list of books that were hand-selected by the host and other members of the CPL leadership team. Three months into the initial list, members will propose and select the next 3 to 6 books to be read.
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One month before the club reads a book, we will publish a primer (see link above), providing information about the book and the author, plus questions to consider while reading the book.
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At our meeting, we’ll spend about 15 minutes sharing thoughts as a group, then move into breakout rooms for a more intimate discussion of the book and the ideas it presents.
Where To Find the Books:
We promise that all the books we will discuss will be available online, in bookstores and in most cases, in your local library. Most will be available in hardcopy, audiobook, and e-book. Please consider borrowing the books from your local library. If you find purchasing new copies of the books beyond your budget, we encourage you to look for used copies, which you are likely to find online at Powell’s Bookstore, ThriftBooks, or on Amazon (listed below the hardcover or paperback prices).
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Past events (453)
See all- Network event24 attendees from 10 groups hostingCitizenship: Are US Requirements Too Strict or Too Lax?This event has passed