HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2019-04-11 Better Angels skills workshop
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
April 11, 2019
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Learn How to Talk Across the Political Divide in “Beyond
Polarization” Communication Skills Workshops
Leesburg Diversity Commission and Better Angels partnering to teach skills for
communicating with people who hold different political views.
Leesburg, VA (April 11, 2019) – On Saturday, May 4, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Leesburg
Diversity Commission is hosting two communication skills workshops, in partnership with Better
Angels. The two separate workshops – one for liberals and one for conservatives – will be held
concurrently in the lower level of Town Hall.
According to Mel Pine, Better Angels Coordinator, “We live in possibly the most divisive time in
the United States since the decade leading up to the Civil War. Conversations across political
lines have become treacherous, with many people avoiding political topics altogether. Some
family members have stopped talking to each other completely.”
The Better Angels Skills Workshop program teaches skills for communicating effectively and
respectfully with friends, coworkers, loved ones, and others who strongly disagree with you.
Participants will practice ways to clarify differences and search for common ground without
igniting open hostilities.
Participation in the workshops is free, but registration is required. Each workshop is limited to
30 participants. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/conservative-
liberal-learn-how-to-talk-with-the-other-side-tickets-59728131449. Deadline to register is
noon on Friday, May 3.
About Better Angels: Better Angels is a national citizens’ movement to reduce political
polarization in the United States by bringing liberals and conservatives together to understand
each other beyond stereotypes, forming red/blue community alliances, teaching practical skills
for communicating across political differences, and making a strong public argument for
depolarization. More information, visit www.better-angels.org.
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