Bridging the Divides: The Furman Justice Forum Promotes the Skill of Constructive Conversation

The Furman Justice Forum in collaboration with the Center for Inclusive Communities partnered with Braver Angels to teach the skills of navigating difficult political conversations on campus. With a mission to challenge the crisis of partisan animosity, facilitators with Braver Angels conducted a workshop on campus on November 8 with approximately 25 faculty, staff and student members of the Furman community attending. According to Justice Forum President, Lydia Marty, the Justice Forum believes that having difficult conversations is an essential component of doing social justice work. They stress the importance of understanding both the perspectives of those experiencing injustice and those in positions of power. This workshop focused on teaching skills crucial to understanding and listening to those we might not agree with, as well as ways in which we can come to agreement with others, when possible.

 

The Justice Forum has a variety of events planned that offer opportunities for discourse and political learning during the month of March, or Justice Month, where the Justice Forum will sponsor over a dozen events for the campus community. These events events include CLPs, dialogues, and justice-centered socials.

 

To learn more please reach out to the Lydia McCarty, president of the Furman Justice Forum or Center for Inclusive Communities.