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During the event, Zeidler Center facilitators guided participants through structured

dialogue. Participants responded to two key questions:

1. “This dialogue is an opportunity for us to set the stage for the rest of this series,

specifically brainstorming how people can disagree politically without being

disagreeable. With that in mind, describe an experience where you felt respected OR

disrespected for your political views? What was the experience? What would have

made it MORE respectful?”

2. “What motivates you and what holds you back from building relationships across

political divides?”

Participants at the Milwaukee R&B event were also specifically asked to participate in

a “connected conversation” if time allowed. This event portion encouraged participants to

have an open conversation, ask question to peers, and discuss what was heard in the facilitated

listening circles. In addition, participants were asked a series of follow-up questions:

“Since the election, have there been ways that your values and perspectives have been

stereotyped by the “other side”? If so, what is it about who you are and what you care

about that makes those stereotypes especially upsetting?”

“Are there some stereotypes of your own party that you feel are somewhat deserved—

even if they are not fully true?”

“What aspects of the other party or candidate do you admire—or at least understand

to be reasonable counter-balances to excess on the side you generally support?”

“Given the challenges we face, what dreams do you have for yourself, your family,

community, or country?”

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