IT’S TIME TO LISTEN TO EACH OTHER

Columbia University professors have set up “listening tables” inviting students to stop and chat.

Some stopped to talk about how protests on campus had alienated some and inspired others. Columbia’s project is one example of what has been called “cultivating conversations,” “curious disagreement,” and “respectful disagreement” with the objective of understanding varioous points of view.

Listening without structure can result in attempts to win arguments. In the early 20th century “study circles” became popular in Sweden as part of national dialogues about political issues, such as temperance and worker’s rights. Similarly in the U.S., groups like the National Issues Forums and the Study Circles Resource Center provided the following guides for listening:

1.) All views should get a fair hearing.

2.) Disagreements should not be personalized. Personal attacks are not tolerated.

3.) If some is said that offends someone, anyone should feel free to explain how that comment affected them.

4.) It is important that everyone be heard. People who talk must give others the opportunity to express themselves.

5.) Study circles are facilitated by an individual who does summaries, encourages all members to speak, and encourages all perspectives are presented.

In political debates, parties listen to find flaws and to counter arguments. In listening to each other, we need to understand in hopes of finding common ground.