Make A Difference

The political divide has broken many relationships. In Braver Angels, you can improve conversations and rebuild trust with friends, family, and coworkers you disagree with politically. 

• Take the Families and Politics eCourse

• Attend a workshop

• Listen to A Braver Way podcast

Respectful relationships are essential; yet more is needed to bring Americans together.  Citizenship plays a crucial role in bridging divides through dialogue and respectful engagement. 

• Citizenship - understand your rights and responsibilities as a citizen

• Constitution - understand the unity provisions in the Constitution

• Values - understand the values of your fellow Americans helps build respect and trust

• Causes of Division - increase your knowledge about how we got to where we are now.

Democracy isn't a spectator sport.  Citizenship requires active participation to strengthen our democratic republic.

For new members, comfort level is an overlooked issue affecting participation.  Braver Angels encourages this three-step process for developing comfort level and increasing participation:

• Learner Role – Independent learning helps build knowledge and confidence.  To find opportunities for independent learning, explore the learning center page.

• Observer Role - Observing conversations sets clear expectations for participation.

• Speaker Role - Gradual, supported participation builds communication skills.

As a starting point for understanding other views, Braver Angels encourages you to explore the Learning Center page and expand the values button.  Read these documents:

• Blue Viewpoint

• Red Viewpoint 

• Viewpoint Diversity

Informed citizens understand multiple perspectives on important issues. By understanding others, you can build trust when listening to and understanding other opinions. In addition, you can gain a fuller view of complex issues.

Thomas Jefferson stated “You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. Citizenship is a tough occupation which obliges the citizen to make his own informed opinion.”

These methods will help you develop an informed opinion:

• Respectful conversation – spontaneous discussion on issue

• Structured discussion – read article and answer prepared questions 

• Discussion series – multiple structured discussions on a complex issue

• Common ground discussion – practice negotiation and compromise

Our nation's founders believed in the competition of ideas.  Sharing your views is both your right to free speech and how you participate in this competition of ideas.  In Braver Angels, you can become more confident about expressing your opinion more clearly. 

A team that works together is a powerful role model for our fellow Americans. In Braver Angels, an alliance and a team function the same.  In a team, you can understand and practice the behavior that makes a Courageous Citizen. Teamwork involves helping other members of your team to be successful. 

The Braver Angels Way, citizenship rights and responsibilities, and teamwork skills are closely related.  

• • Teamwork Skill - Respect

  • Teamwork Skill - Communication

  • Teamwork Skill - Collaboration

  • Teamwork Skill - Decision Making

  • Teamwork Skill - Leadership

If you are feeling skeptical, that's completely understandable.  In a time when divisions run deep, it's natural to question if you can truly make a difference.  What sets Braver Angels apart is our commitment to fostering honest, respectful conversations between people who disagree - without asking anyone to change their core beliefs.  Read more about concerns expressed by other skeptics and responses by Braver Angels. 

• • Questions and Answers