Community Civility Discussion - October 20 @ 11:15 am

In today’s political climate, many Americans believe they can’t be friends with people with opposing political viewpoints, or fear that any attempt to dive into a political topic with someone who might disagree would have a negative outcome.

This is part of the reason why Detroit Today host and former Detroit Free Press editorial writer Stephen Henderson co-founded The Civility Project with Nolan Finley, editorial page editor for the Detroit News and Henderson’s long-time friend. Henderson and Finley rarely agree when it comes to politics, but their mutual respect for one another allows them to rise above their differences and actually listen, learn from, and engage with each other.

The Civility Project aims to build civility by teaching people to listen to and understand one another. Community members, local businesses and area students are invited to come together for a Civility Discussion at First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, 26165 Farmington Road at Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills on Sunday, October 2 from 11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. following service. Sponsored by the Mission Ministry Team and the Social Justice Book Club, our program’s guest speakers are celebrated journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson, who have been longtime friends, despite their different perspectives on pretty much everything. The one thing they agree on is the importance of their friendship—which includes a healthy dose of disagreement and mutual respect.

“It never occurred to us that we couldn’t be friends because we disagree,” says Nolan. “We’ve never avoided conversation, we never pulled punches, we sort of enjoyed the mix-up.”

Join us for a judgment-free zone; a safe place to talk, express yourself, and be OK with the outcome. The Civility Project’s goal is to build healthy disagreement and constructive dialogue while teaching people how to build civility in their relationships.

Americans used to engage in civil conversation with people of opposing viewpoints – enjoying the banter and debate. Today, many Americans believe they can’t be friends with people whose politics are different. The Civility Project seeks to bring people of opposing viewpoints together for healthy disagreement, personal interactions, and constructive conversations. In our live and virtual programs, participants become familiar with the pillars of civility, have a chance to engage in enlightening discussion and learn why the listening is important.