Yes, we Americans are divided and polarized.  But there are plenty of examples of folks coming together, talking, and walking away feeling good about the experience.  A recent half hour film shows just this sort of work in action.  It’s called Purple.

Purple is well worth watching, and not only because it was filmed in my home region of southwestern Wisconsin.  It’s a hopeful reminder that people with very different perspectives can engage with one another respectfully, thoughtfully, and constructively. The film was produced by Resetting the Table, whose website says that the group “collaborates with strategic partners to build important communication across political silos in American life.” 

Adolf Gundersen

Adolf Gundersen

Gundersen currently works as Research Director for Interactivity Foundation, an EnCiv partner. Before that he taught courses on democracy as an Associate Professor at Texas A & M University.