Post-Election Dinner & Dialogue
Whatever happens on and after election day, Tuesday, November 3rd, there are likely to be strong feelings circulating in our community—relief, fear, joy, apprehension, guarded optimism, despair—as we all make sense of the election’s outcome and what it means for the future.
How do we move forward as a community, in light of those results and the strong disagreements we may have over candidates, policies, and the direction of this country? What would we most like others to know about the values that motivate our political opinions? What can we learn from those with whom we disagree? How do we show up for one another?
Join us on Thursday, November 12, 6-8pm, in the MPR in Washburne University Center (on the Pacific University campus in Forest Grove) for a shared meal and facilitated dialogue about our post-election hopes, fears, and concerns.
We will sit at small dinner tables where we will share a meal and engage in dialogue with those sitting around the table with us. Student facilitators will guide a respectful dialogue at each table, asking specific questions to draw out life experiences and values that shape our political views, our hopes and concerns, and complexities in our thinking.
While debate has its place in our democracy, please note that this event will be a space for curiosity, listening, and honest dialogue, not debate. The purpose will be to build understanding and community, not to persuade one another or win an argument.
Free and open to the public (though priority will be given to Pacific University students if we come up against our limited capacity).
Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 10. There will be limited capacity and only enough seats/dinner for those confirmed to attend. In the spirit of bringing together people with a range of political beliefs, participants are encouraged to invite a friend/acquaintance with different political views to join them.
Please contact Prof. Molly Wallace at mollywallace@pacificu.edu with any questions.
Co-sponsored by the McCall Center for Civic Engagement and the Pacific Student Political Society.
All events are listed in Pacific time zone unless otherwise noted.