CEHV's Civil Discourse for Citizenship Program Director, Dr. Kathryn Joyce, was featured in an article in The Blade, a Toledo-based newspaper. In this article, titled "Talking Turkey: Political Discussions May Cut Thanksgiving Dinner Short," Dr. Joyce highlights CEHV's 4Cs of Civil Discourse as a tool for engaging in political discussions at family events. Below are the 4Cs, paired with Dr. Joyce's advice for applying them to political conversations with family members.

Be Curious. Assume that you have something to learn.

"We are all coming into political issues with different ideas and different experiences."

Be Charitable. Assume that each participant has good intentions.

"When we are disagreeing about politics, focus on the issues instead of attributing it to character." 

Be Conscientious. Listen carefully and speak thoughtfully. 

"One thing to keep in mind is that everyone wants to be heard."

Be Constructive. Remember that the goal is not to win, but to promote better understanding.

"Don’t slip into a mode of persuasion where you are just trying to score a point. Finding out why you disagree can help you connect with the person beyond seeing them as just a political opponent."

Read the article here.