In a political world that is continually dominated by vibes and personality clashes, the focus often shifts from concrete facts and policy discussion to charisma and childish name calling. This trend creates a polarizing environment in which the perception of truth becomes malleable, influenced by how people feel about a candidate rather than the reality of the candidate’s political position. When political discourse is reduced to sound bites, viral moments, and superficial debate, it becomes virtually impossible for voters to engage critically and intellectually with politics, the backbone of our society. 

In response to this growing challenge, the Civil Discourse club at Friends Academy pledged to rise above the noise, distill the facts, and create a space where thoughtful dialogue can thrive. In the multi-week Lunch and Learn series, Civil Discourse will tackle all the pressing issues of the election from the economy to immigration, and will even provide insight into key swing states and strategy. Civil Discourse will not only present facts, but also help participants to understand historical context, and put our current political climate into a broader historical perspective. By creating an inclusive and balanced forum, Civil Discourse hopes to bridge the gap between different viewpoints by creating a respectful, fact based presentation that fosters understanding and collaboration, as opposed to division. 

The first Lunch and Learn wIll take place Wednesday October 2nd, and will continue semi-weekly up to Election Day. This specific Lunch and Learn will cover the economy. The Lunch and Learn will open with a discussion about the current state of the economy, followed by a specific look into individual candidate policy. At the end of the session there will be an opportunity to ask questions.