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Dear Editor: Ely’s All-Class Reunion celebrating Ely Memorial High School’s 100th anniversary along with the 4th of July holiday means time with family and friends, some of whom may not share your perspectives about life in America today.
In Ely, it also means an exuberant parade with plenty of political persuasions represented on floats, in cars, and with politicians walking along interacting with the public. It’s a chance to celebrate our democracy and our differences.
But sometimes that leads to uncomfortable situations, unpleasant exchanges, and even offensive confrontations. If you’re uneasy about how your conversations with friends and family will go when the topic turns to politics, or mining, or wolves, or any of the other controversial subjects that Ely experiences, you could find some healthy ways to interact without avoiding the topics, shutting down the conversation, or insisting your view is the only right one.
To help with that, Ely Braver Angels Alliance is hosting a special workshop on Families and Politics: Tuesday, July 2 6:30-9pm Ely Senior Center A skilled facilitator from Minnesota Braver Angels is coming to Ely to lead us in exercises that examine our own and others’ roles in conversations that turn to hot topics, then give us strategies and skills to pursue ways of talking that increase our understanding of one another rather than drive us apart. We’ll practice skills (this will be FUN!) with each other (plan to laugh!).
We aren’t as different as the media suggests, and families often have shared values that can be explored as the basis of our strongest opinions, even if the choices we make around those values differ.
Memories will be shared and made during the upcoming celebrations. Let’s make sure they are memories that increase our fondness for friends and family rather than frustration with them.
If you aren’t free to participate in the workshop, you can find a 45 minute DIY version at: ht t ps://cou r s ewa r e. braverangels.org/families- and-politics/index. html#/ But we’d love to share this learning with you at the Senior Center next Tuesday, so come if you can.
Save the dates for our future events: - July 24, 5-7pm: Happy Hour at SamZ Place with free appetizers, beer, wine, and conversations - August 15, 6:30pm: Gun Legislation-do we need more or less? Senior Center - Sept 11, 6:30pm: Candidates and campaigns And help Keep America Together with a fun and patriotic celebration!
Johnnie Hyde, Co-Chair Nick Wognum, Co-Chair Ely Braver Angels Alliance
