Braver Angels Ely

08/13/2024

This month’s Braver Angels gathering will explore the topic of gun violence. Participants are invited to share their views on what could be done to reduce gun violence in the country and especially in Minnesota. The format will be a structured discussion in which red- and blue-leaning attendees will alternate sharing their opinions for three-minutes. Following that, others may pose questions for clarification, again alternating red- and blue-leaning (or purple) voices. Braver Angels moderator, Tim Gustafson, will lead the discussion assisted by time keepers. Of course, there will be cookies. The meeting will start at 6pm this time, again at the Ely Senior Center this Thursday, August 15th. All are welcome, as always.

Please keep in mind that the Braver Angels Way means we are trying to understand one another’s positions, not change one another’s opinions. We practice listening to those with whom we disagree and speaking respectfully, sharing our own ideas and experiences without “lecturing.” We are not perfect at this, but seek to improve in order to disagree better.

07/16/2024

Braver Angels national has some thoughts about how we respond to the assassination attempt. Here is what founder Bill Doherty advises:
Everyone will be saying that political violence has no place in our nation. In addition, we can say:
1) The immediate priority is to not escalate things (not throw fuel on the fire) by attacks and counterattacks over responsibility for the assassination attempt. When you've gotten yourself in a deep hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.
2) Second is to tone down the apocalyptic rhetoric on both sides, saying that our democracy will not survive four years of Trump or Biden. When the survival of the American
experiment is at stake, violence can seem justified and even a heroic. We have to believe in ourselves that we can hold onto our democratic republic no matter who wins or loses an election.
3) Third is to use this time for soul searching about what we've allowed to happen in our political culture, from Washington to the states and local levels, and in our families and friendships. Polarization is a we-the-people problem and not just a "those politicians" problem. We can do better, starting by learning to disagree better. Braver Angels can help.
4) A final one with a bit of flourish: We must call back the Four Horsemen of Polarization that we've unleashed upon the land: Stereotyping, Dismissing, Ridiculing, and Contempt for
our fellow Americans who think and vote differently. We have set these horsemen loose and we can call them back.

Learn more about how to disagree better at our Ely Braver Angels Alliance. Our next event is a just-for-fun get-to-know-your-neighbor Happy Hour at SamZ, July 24th, 5-7 pm with free drinks, fish fry, snacks, raffle, games, and maybe even some conversation. You can join our alliance at BraverAngels.org or email [email protected].

07/02/2024

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/07/02/ely-experiment-improve-political-conversations
We were on MPR news this morning!

02/06/2024

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/02/06/on-the-cusp-of-a-contentious-election-year-ely-finds-new-ways-to-talk-about-divisive-issues

The northern Minnesota town has long been the epicenter of the state’s conflict around mining and the environment. Now, though, there’s a renewed effort in Ely to restart a civil discussion around long-standing divisions.

02/05/2024

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT REAL ISSUES -
Saturday, Feb 10th, 11:30-12:30 am, at the Ely State Theater, Ely Film Festival Lounge. Facilitated by "Voices for Ethnic & Multicultural Awareness, Chisholm
Ever wondered about ways this community can make our town and the national forest a more welcoming place for non-white people? Join us for an open-circle style discussion on real issues that affect BIPOC people in our communities. All are welcome to join us with curiosity and respect.

This is not a Braver Angels event, but is held in the same spirit.

01/30/2024

Two interesting stories in The NY Times this week - one on Wolves and the other on a town, Silverton, torn apart by polarization very similar to and much worse than Ely. Both issues are located in Colorado and have achieved some resolution through processes like those Braver Angels uses. Good reading. If you don't subscribe to the NYT and these links don't work, but you know someone who does, they can provide you with a guest link to the articles. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/30/opinion/wolves-repopulation-colorado-polarization.html.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/us/politics/silverton-division.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RE0.XMwm.J6F-lse4_Qnf&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Two years after death threats and aspersions roiled little Silverton, the town has found a semblance of peace and a lesson for a ruptured nation.

01/17/2024

this is a test

01/13/2024

A reminder that the next Ely Alliance with Braver Angels gathering is this Thursday (Jan 18th), 6:30pm at the Ely Senior Center. We'll be discussing the "Depolarizing Within" concepts, available for you to do as an online class for free at https://storage.googleapis.com/.../depolari.../index.html.... This photo is the first question in the e-course. (Doing the course isn't required to attend the gathering, but would be helpful.)
We will also be spending a bit of time figuring out how this group is going to function and what the goals are. We need a few more volunteers, especially those with a more conservative approach. Please email elybraverangels@gm (not putting the whole thing here to avoid scammers, but you know what it is) with questions or to volunteer.