Our Weekly Meetings
Practice Civil Discourse
LAST WEEK'S MEETING - We were joined via Zoom by recently retired Editor/Vice President of the Akron Beacon Journal/ Ohio.com Bruce Winges who spoke to us about the media’s role and our own individual responsibility to avoid political polarization. Long involved with the Greater Akron Civility Center, he sparked interesting Q&A discussion amongst many members who started their careers as journalists. Winges said we can help by doing the following:
1. Hold our politicians to a standard of truth, accuracy, and civility. "That may mean stepping outside of what we WANT to believe and looking at the world as it is...There is only one reality."
2. Check our sources. Is this a creditable, established, legitimate news source? Do I believe this information simply because I want to, or, more importantly, it confirms MY bias?
3. Listen to someone who doesn't share your views. An easy way to do so is to put yourself in the other person’s position. If something makes you yell at the TV, ask yourself this: “Would I feel this way if a member of my political party did the same thing?” If the answer is yes, then go ahead and yell at the TV. If the answer is no, then quit being a hypocrite.
Winges offered these standards to lead to civil conversations:
• Listen.
• Seek truth.
• Show respect.
• Appreciate differences.
• Seek constructive engagement.
• Base differing opinions on common facts.
Last Week's Pictures
THIS WEEK'S MEETING - Join us to celebrate Rotary International's 126th Anniversary and Rotary Club of Youngstown's 116th Anniversary
