Indivisible Manatee and Braver Angels to partner on workshops to overcome political division

BRADENTON — America is more divided than ever, and too many of us are feeling isolated from those who hold different views. This division damages our communities, disrupts our families, and stops us from working together for the common good.

Indivisible Manatee is working with Braver Angels, a national organization with a proven track record, to equip Americans to practice “courageous citizenship” across political differences through communication skills training that leads to collaborative action.

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, who had previously participated in a Braver Angels event, has been involved in bringing the organizations together.

"I think you'd have a hard time finding too many people from either side of the aisle who do not believe we've taken the polarization of politics too far," said Kruse. "The extreme views have overrun both parties and pushed people into echo chambers that no longer allow for civil disagreements."

Kruse said that, based on his positive experience with Braver Angels, he was eager to help facilitate the programming.

"Back in 2023, I attended the Braver Angels annual conference in Gettysburg, PA, to learn to better work with everyone, regardless of affiliation or viewpoint," said the second-term Republican commissioner. "It was an amazing, eye-opening experience, but it didn't move much past that as Manatee County, and Florida as a whole, didn't have a strong, active presence."

Indivisible Manatee invites you to attend one of two Braver Angels workshops to be offered on May 11, 6-8:30 pm, or May 18, 2-4:30 pm. 

They are combining two workshops into a single two-and-a-half-hour session consisting of:

1. Depolarizing Ourselves: An introspective examination of personal biases.
2. Learning to Disagree Better: Focused on skill-building for constructive dialogue.

The program will feature Dr. Pat Maher, Ambassador and Co-Chair of the Braver Angels Tampa Alliance.

Evening Workshop:  May 11th

Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
322 15th St W, Bradenton
5:30-6:00 PM Registration and Refreshments
6:00-8:30 PM Workshop

Afternoon Workshop: May 18th

Central Library
1301 Barcarrota Blvd W, in downtown Bradenton
1:30-2:00 PM Registration and Refreshments
2:00-4:30 PM Workshop
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblemanatee/event/949190/

NOTE: Space will be limited to 40 people.

Are you feeling that partisanship and rancor are tearing our country apart? Do you believe that your political opponents should not be your enemies? Then you need Braver Angels, and they need you!