On November 16, the League of Women Voters hosted a transformative Depolarizing Within workshop at the Howell Carnegie Library. The event brought together community members eager to build skills for navigating political differences with greater awareness and respect. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and current congressional candidate Bridget Brink attended the event, which was facilitated by experienced Braver Angels moderators. The workshop provided participants with practical tools to recognize their own “inner polarizer” and engage in political conversations without resorting to stereotypes, contempt, or dismissiveness.
The Depolarizing Within workshop focuses on helping participants examine their own attitudes and language when discussing those with different political views. Rather than addressing disagreements over policy or philosophy directly, the workshop tackles the emotional and polarizing conversations that often occur within like-minded groups. Participants learned to distinguish between critiquing positions and demonizing the people who hold them, developing strategies to intervene constructively when conversations with peers turn toward ridicule or contempt for others.
League of Women Voters organizer Janice Foster reflected on the workshop’s impact on attendees. “We had a lot of positive response and it gives much to think about in how we relate to others based on our own viewpoints,” Foster said. The structured exercises and guided discussions created a safe space for participants to practice new communication skills and challenge their own assumptions about political opponents. Many left with a renewed commitment to engaging across differences without sacrificing their values or resorting to harmful rhetoric.
Board member Donna expressed enthusiasm for expanding these depolarization skills throughout the organization and beyond. She noted that the workshop’s lessons extend far beyond political conversations, emphasizing that these skills can be used everywhere with everyone. The positive reception has sparked interest in hosting additional workshops both internally with League members and publicly with the broader community, demonstrating a growing recognition of the need for better tools to navigate our divided political landscape.
The collaboration between the League of Women Voters and Braver Angels Michigan represents a crucial investment in civil discourse and community relationships. As polarization continues to strain personal connections and civic engagement, workshops like Depolarizing Within offer practical pathways for individuals to become more self-aware, communicate more effectively, and build bridges across political divides. The enthusiasm shown by participants suggests a deep hunger for alternatives to the contempt and dismissiveness that too often characterize our current political conversations.