WESTPORT — As American social fabric is torn apart over issues ranging from politics to privilege to pronouns, a local initiative aims to provide a forum for civil discourse on public issues.
“Common Ground Initiative,” which officially launches with a May 2 program at the Westport Library, has a goal of restoring civility to public discussion of sometimes difficult topics. The project is being organized by the library “in conjunction with community leaders representing a wide array of constituents and ideological standpoints,” according to a statement issued by the library.
The first Common Ground program, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, will feature Roy Blunt, a former Republican senator and congressman from Missouri, as the main speaker via video link. To register for the free program, click here.
Steven Parrish, a lawyer who founded a consulting firm specializing in crisis management, corporate social responsibility, public affairs and communications, also will speak.
“In recent years, and in so many capacities and on so many stages, we have witnessed a breakdown of decorum in public conversation and people focusing on that which divides us, not what unites us,” William Harmer, the library’s executive director, said in the statement.
“We have seen that nationally as well as locally. But we have also witnessed, particularly in Westport, a great capacity for kindness, compassion and compromise,” Harmer said.
“It is those ideals that we want to strive for, and we look forward to the Common Ground Initiative in helping us find that balance.”
For more information, call the Westport Library at 203-291-4800.
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