An interesting discussion on a recent MSNBC Morning Joe television show is appropriate on our continued journey to the 2020 election.
Have you ever had a heated discussion with a friend or relative? Did you feel as if you won the discussion? Did it feel as if you lost?
Christianbook.com brings forth a review of the book “I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening):
“More than ever, politics seems driven by conflict and anger. Toxic political dialogue, hate-filled rants on social media, and agenda-driven news stories have become the new norm. It’s exhausting, and it’s too much.
“In I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening), authors Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers, two working moms from opposite ends of the political spectrum, contend that there is a better way. They believe that we can:
• Choose to respect the dignity of every person;
• Choose to recognize that issues are nuanced and can’t be reduced to political talking points;
• Choose to listen in order to understand;
• Choose gentleness and patience.
“Sarah from the left and Beth from the right invite those looking for something better than the status quo to pull up a chair and listen to the principles, insights, and practical tools they have learned hosting their fast-growing podcast Pantsuit Politics. As impossible as it might seem, people from opposing political perspectives truly can have calm, grace-filled conversations with one another, by putting relationship before policy and understanding before argument.
“Sarah and Beth are an absolute gift to our culture right now. Not only do they offer balanced perspectives from each political ideology, but they teach us how to (have a) dialogue well, without sacrificing our humanity.”
—Jen Hatmaker, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and founder of Legacy Collective:
“Sarah from the left and Beth from the right serve as our guides through conflict and complexity, delivering us into connection. I wish every person living in the United States would read this compelling book, from the youngest voter to those holding the highest office.”
—Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Simply Tuesday and The Next Right Thing:
“This book so far gives serious food-for-thought for engaging in those awkward conversations with people you know can be combative. I’ve used ideas presented by the authors successfully in a couple of discussions.
“We all don’t have to agree on everything. There are absolutely places where I will not budge my convictions, but seeing both sides can help break our ideological logjams and find some middle ground. That’s a solid place to start to getting this country back on track.
“I think this is exactly what we need. I’ve been vaguely interested in politics without feeling like I could talk about it in most situations and without feeling like I could escape the bubble of people who agree with me. Sarah and Beth are leading a whole movement of people who aren’t afraid to talk about the controversial topics and aren’t sacrificing their relationships to do it.
“It’s a joy to read and makes me feel hopeful that we can move past this stalemate of hyper-partisanship.
“I’m so grateful for this book. Yes, it’s a guide for how to have more productive political conversations, but it’s more than that. It guides you through examining yourself and your motives. It challenges you to rethink assumptions, embrace curiosity, and ‘get comfortable with being uncomfortable.’ It’s given me a new way to think about myself and others, and a new way to think about and approach politics and political engagement.
“My first book of 2019 was a true revelation. Coming off a fraught midterm election season, and perhaps a holiday where you cringed at the thought of talking politics with your family, I’m here to tell you there is a better way. I genuinely think this is a must-read for everyone who has felt overwhelmed by how divided our country seems. It is a guide map for progress instead of gridlock.”