Working to help students find safe spaces to have difficult conversations, the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a three-part “Disagree Together” series. The series was created in response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the discussions that were held in the Royal Radar afterwards. Maria Longenecker, SGA co-president, stated that SGA saw a desire from students to have politically motivated conversations, but noted that there were no safe spaces for them to do so. “As the US political scene has become more volatile, it is more important now than ever that we find ways to connect across our differences in beliefs,” said Longenecker. “SGA heard from students across the political spectrum that each felt ostracised or misunderstood due to their beliefs.”
Longenecker continued on to say that the goal of this event was to provide a space for students to discuss tough questions. “We hope that each person can walk away knowing that at least one new person sees them as an individual with nuanced beliefs and that these conversations will be able to be carried on beyond the series,” said Longenecker.
Students filed into the Student Union and selected one of six tables to sit at. Each table fit six individuals, and each student came prepared to discuss the big topic questions for the meeting: “Why Do We Disagree? How did we get here and how do our life experiences influence our beliefs?” Students were able to utilise the space to learn more about the community surrounding them, emphasising what each student brings to the table and how they can draw connections and similarities to their own lives. Questions such as “What would you say the most live conflict is at EMU right now?” flashed across the projector screen. Students were encouraged to speak amongst table members to understand everyone’s experiences and opinions. Students then moved on to “individual mapping,” which encouraged them to write down symbols or drawings that represented them. The room lit up with loud chatter as students’ creativity flowed.
Genesis Figueroa, senior Co-President of Young Democrats, also said that the group noticed a passion within students to have political conversations. Young Democrats believe that healthy conversations help to remove negative assumptions associated with different political groups or people. “[Young Democrats] really wanted people from different parts of groups on campus to come and sit together and have meaningful conversations with each other,” said Figueroa. “I think these types of events usually only attract some groups of people and not others, but we really want for there to be people all over campus to come and participate and speak their opinion.”
The reporter reached out to the College Conservatives, but got no response.
Students then moved on to “collective mapping,” an activity focused on bringing these symbols and drawings together to draw connections between community members. Students sat in close half-circles led by staff who encouraged and promoted connections between each student’s individual maps. Staff from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding helped facilitate the dialogue. “This evening, I don’t want us to be fearful of the things we disagree on,” said Kory Schaeffer, Director of Programs for the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding. “It’s okay.”
The night ended with a discussion about the similarities and differences between the collective maps hung up on the walls of the Student Union. Students were encouraged to roam about and observe the various communities that EMU fosters. Students then returned to their seats, now laid out in a big circle, to reflect on the activities and their feelings throughout the event. One student felt “tension,” another felt “exposed,” others felt “curious,” “vulnerable,” and “respected.”
While there are no formal plans to continue this series, Longenecker stated that SGA does not see this series as the end of the story. “We easily get siloed into echo chambers…we don’t connect across our differences, and we remain divided,” said Longenecker. “We hope that this event can be a good experiment in what does or does not work when trying to get students to talk to each other. It takes courage to show up to something like this.”
Another event was held on March 19, titled “How Do We Disagree? Politics and Christianity? Students share how their faith influences their politics.” The final event will be held on March 26, titled “Practice Disagreeing. Talk until you disagree, then keep talking until you understand why.”
