Polarization may be tearing us apart.
Braver Angels Central Texas is working to bring us back together.
Less This: Political Confrontation
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Strengthening Our Democracy
Together |
More This: Braver Angels Workshop
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Political polarization is tearing our nation apart.
In Central Texas, we feel polarization acutely. We are a liberal metro city in a conservative border state. Our political conversations can quickly devolve into “us” versus “them”. The national bipartisan organization, Braver Angels, seeks to unite “reds” and “blues,” so they can listen to and respect each other even while they disagree.
Our local chapter of Braver Angels, Braver Angels Central Texas, serves this same mission. We engage our community through workshops, debates, Alliance meetings and presentations with the following goals in mind:
Our local chapter of Braver Angels, Braver Angels Central Texas, serves this same mission. We engage our community through workshops, debates, Alliance meetings and presentations with the following goals in mind:
- We try to understand the other side’s point of view, even if we don’t agree with it.
- We support the principles of civil discourse that bring us together rather than divide us.
- We use friendly engagement with those we disagree with, looking for common ground and ways to work together; we will never ask you to change your mind.
Braver Angels is leading the nation's largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. . The Central Texas Alliance of Braver Angels formed in 2018. Since then we have engaged thousands of Texans in skills workshops, common-ground workshops, one-on-one conversations, Alliance meetings and much more.. We are strong and growing! Braver Angels membership requires dues of just $12 a year. Joining the national organization makes you a member of the Central Texas Alliance as well.
Because
Because I am a man
I see—and am seen—in certain ways
Because I am White
my sight is limited in some subtle—and not so subtle—ways
to the range and hues of color in the world
Because I was born in a certain part of town—and even in a town--
my sense of possibility is shaped and molded in ways
I think of as real
Because I entered this life at a specific moment in time
in a particular family with a past and pattern
that brought me into being
I find myself lost at times when connecting with others
Because I am all of these things and more
I experience life in unique and unnoticed ways
As I listen and learn of your life and your world
perhaps I can move beyond my limitations and join you
in a shared reality that is greater and more revealing
than the one I inhabit
because of who I am
Tobin Quereau, 2017
Because I am a man
I see—and am seen—in certain ways
Because I am White
my sight is limited in some subtle—and not so subtle—ways
to the range and hues of color in the world
Because I was born in a certain part of town—and even in a town--
my sense of possibility is shaped and molded in ways
I think of as real
Because I entered this life at a specific moment in time
in a particular family with a past and pattern
that brought me into being
I find myself lost at times when connecting with others
Because I am all of these things and more
I experience life in unique and unnoticed ways
As I listen and learn of your life and your world
perhaps I can move beyond my limitations and join you
in a shared reality that is greater and more revealing
than the one I inhabit
because of who I am
Tobin Quereau, 2017
Our Primary MissionOur Primary Mission is to introduce Central Texans to the Braver Angels process of depolarization and civil discourse through attendance at free workshops, townhall debates, current events discussions, and speaking engagements. We can respectfully engage in political and public policy discussions or one-on-one conversations about issues important to us and our country. |
Our Secondary MissionOur Secondary Mission is to work together to solve real problems. In our Alliance meetings, our Braver Angels who have completed a workshop or other event come together to see what common ground can be found in tackling local issues. We leverage the civil discourse skills we've learned to solve problems together. |