More Alike Than Unalike: A Plea for Civil Discourse

Missouri State University invites you to attend the 17th annual Public Affairs Conference as a live virtual event Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2020! This year's public affairs theme is The Power of Voice. 

Links to all live webinar events will be listed on the Public Affairs Conference schedule website.

As American society becomes increasingly polarized, civil discourse is waning. From the mainstream media to Twitter and a host of other social media applications, Americans hear a steady stream of unfounded accusations, demeaning comments and vitriol. In 2017, a survey by the American Psychological Association found nearly 60% of Americans felt stressed because of current social divisiveness, and this contributed to high levels of negativity in their communications. When and why did this hostility become so prevalent? How can citizens learn to value differing opinions when so many people exist in silos, interacting only with others who share their opinions? Does civility require you to give up the right to free speech? How can America find its way back to civil discourse? How can we affirm Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike”?

Free