Name: Skills for Disagreeing Better: A Bridging Workshop
Start: 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Unitarian Universalist Society of South Suffolk

### **[Why We’re Polarized](https://www.amazon.com/Why-Were-Polarized-Ezra-Klein/dp/147670032X)**

**by Ezra Klein, 2021, 268 pages (David, Michael)**

America’s political system isn’t broken. The truth is scarier: it’s working exactly as designed.

We didn't select our next book after that. In order to do this, please add book suggestions for future discussions and/or your names as votes for the books that you'd like to discuss next in this [Books for Discussion](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iTpKA9o5oXSWfEoojizln1Cvzq3qnCOVvRarIOHt18k/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.b6we6z2pz6v6) doc, or email them to this group. The first book that will have maximum votes (names) in two weeks will become our next book.

Crossing Party Lines: New York

CrossingPartyLines - National

Book Club: Why We’re Polarized, by Ezra Klein, 2021

Online event

Mass shootings shake communities, leaving families and survivors with unimaginable loss. While debates often focus on prevention and policy, another pressing question remains: how can we respond with compassion and real support for those directly impacted? This conversation is an opportunity to step back from politics and focus on humanity. Together we’ll explore how people and communities can show up for victims, families, and survivors in ways that truly help.

* What does meaningful support for families affected by mass shootings look like to you?
* How can individuals, communities, and institutions respond in ways that ease grief and foster healing?
* In times of tragedy, what role should empathy and compassion play alongside calls for policy change?
* How do we balance the need for public conversations on causes and solutions with respect for grieving families?

**Other questions:**

* In what ways do public reactions — from leaders, media, and citizens — shape the aftermath of violence?
* What helps you personally process events like this without becoming more fearful or angry?
* How might moments like this influence future public conversations about safety and civility?

Join us for a respectful, solutions-curious conversation. You don’t need to be an expert—just willing to listen and share. All viewpoints are welcome, and we’ll use our small-group guidelines: listen to understand, speak from your experience, and assume good intent.

Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.

We would love to hear your thoughts on our social media pages. Don't miss topic announcements, updates, news! Follow us on:

* Instagram @crossingpartylines
* Twitter @crosspartylines
* Facebook @crossingpartylines

Brian Finn

Timothy

Mass Shootings: Finding Compassion in the Aftermath

Portland has a history of passionate public response — from the ICE protests downtown to ongoing debates about homelessness, public safety, and how we care for our neighbors. Now, with talk of the National Guard possibly being sent here, big questions are surfacing. For some, it feels like a step toward safety and order. For others, it feels like a threat to democracy itself. Many are simply wondering what it would mean for daily life in our city.

This conversation is a chance for Portlanders of all perspectives to reflect together. How might the presence of the Guard affect protests, houseless communities, or our sense of freedom and security? What worries you, what reassures you, and what do you think it would look like in practice?

Join us as we explore these and other questions, such as:

* *When you first heard the idea of the National Guard coming to Portland, what was your gut reaction?*
* *What do you think would be a reasonable justification for the Guard to be sent to a city anywhere in the U.S.? What, if anything, would make it reasonable in Portland’s case?*
* *Where do you personally draw the line between a situation that should be handled locally and one that warrants federal involvement?*

Your voice matters, and by hearing from one another, we can better understand what this possibility could mean for our city and our future.

Crossing Party Lines: Portland, OR

Jack B

Gene

Arielle M.

claire

Monamarie

Janie 

The National Guard?  In Portland?

Multnomah County Library - Northwest

**Note: This \*FREE\* event is to be attended in person. RSVPs are needed for this event at [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skills-for-disagreeing-better-registration-1645027614879?aff=oddtdtcreator) (*Promo code*: BRAVER).**

The season of celebration can also spark conflict. When politics surface at the holiday table, tensions rise. You can show up steady, open, and empowered.

Led by trained moderators, the Braver Angels Skills for Disagreeing Better workshop helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically and teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground. This workshop is FREE and open to the public.

Offered in partnership with Braver Angels Long Island Alliance, Crossing Party Lines Long Island and Unitarian Universalist Society of South Suffolk.

**Find out more and register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skills-for-disagreeing-better-registration-1645027614879?aff=oddtdtcreator**
**Seats are limited.**

Crossing Party Lines Long Island NY

Herb

Nick Cavuoto

Swati Srivastava

MIKE MARRIN

Scott Bernstein

Skills for Disagreeing Better: A Bridging Workshop 

Unitarian Universalist Society of South Suffolk

Crossing Party Lines

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