Instability across the American political scene -- and increasing tension among political parties as the November presidential election nears -- has been on full display, prompting public concern over a decreasing ability for opposing sides to engage in civil discourse.
A 2023 study conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that 65% of Americans claim to feel exhausted by the topic of politics.
“Positive views of many governmental and political institutions are at historic lows, a growing share of the public dislikes both political parties, and just 4% of U.S. adults say the political system is working well," researchers said in that study report. Americans are asking: How can people navigate a hostile political environment, while still using their voice?
Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson, both longtime Southeast Michigan journalists and political commentators, often find themselves in the middle of that instability -- writing about issues, ideas and viewpoints that are vastly different. Neither, however, believes those differences mean they can't be friends. Both say those civil conversations can and should occur in all communities, which is one reason they launched the Great Lakes Civility Project in 2020. The project's goal: "Build healthy disagreement and constructive dialogue while teaching people how to build civility in their relationships."
Stephen Henderson, editor and writer at Bridge Detroit, is a 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner for commentary. (Courtesy of the Great Lakes Civility Project)
On Thursday, Sept. 19, Finley, an editorial writer and editor at the Detroit News, and Henderson, an editor at Bridge Detroit, bring a version of their civility work to Eastern Michigan University, as part of a campus celebration of Constitution Day.
Nolan Finley is an editor and editorial writer at The Detroit News. He is a co-founder of the Great Lakes Civility Project. (Courtesy of the Great Lakes Civility Project)
During an afternoon presentation in the Student Center Auditorium, Finley and Henderson will discuss the significance of civil discussion and the importance of listening to different perspectives. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. Thursday and is approved for learning beyond the classroom credits for students who attend.
“It never occurred to us that we couldn’t be friends because we disagree,” Nolan said in a comment posted on the Civility Project website. “We’ve never avoided conversation, we never pulled punches, we sort of enjoyed the mix-up.”
Henderson, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his commentary work as editorial page editor at the Detroit Free Press, said civil discourse is necessary.
“If we reach the point where we dehumanize the people we disagree with, anything is possible,” Henderson said on the website. “We must step back and learn to talk to people as people, rather than political adversaries.”
Henderson's work on the Detroit financial crisis earned him the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary, currently works for Bridge Detroit.
“One party in this nation, the Republican Party, has been gesturing toward and coddling this brand of traitorous, racist and violent political expression, for several decades," Henderson said in an opinion article published Jan. 7, 2021, following the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington D.C. "The responsibility, as much as it lies with the limited intellects who stormed the Capitol yesterday, sits in the lap of modern conservatism."
Finley, whose career spans more than 48 years, criticized the Democratic Party's handling of the Hunter Biden trial in a commentary published earlier this year. The work was titled "Nolan Out Loud: Zuckerberg Exposes Democratic Threat to Democracy."
“The absurdity of Democratic claims to be defenders of democracy was laid bare by the letter Meta founder and Chairman Mark Zuckerberg wrote to Congress detailing the Biden/Harris administration's efforts to shut down COVID-19 policy dissent and bury the Hunter Biden laptop scandal,” Finley wrote in the commentary.
While the presenters have opposing opinions on a political level, the goal of their collaboration in the Civility Project, and their presentation at Eastern aims to prove that engagements from across the aisle can happen civilly. As stated in their promotional material for the EMU event: “The conversation promises to be insightful and thought-provoking, highlighting the value of civil discourse and understanding diverse viewpoints.”
Constitution Day is Tuesday, Sept. 17, but through the end of September, the Upshur Institute of Civic Education at Eastern will be hosting a number of events relating to the U.S. Constitution and navigating modern political discourse.
Celebrate Constitution Day
On Tuesday, to explore new strategies that can be used when approaching political conversations, presenters John Snoad, a senior manager at Sphere Education Initiatives, and Scott Aflord, also a manager with Sphere, will offer tips for students preparing to enter these exchanges, while keeping in mind the value of diverse viewpoints and active listening.
The event will be held in the Halle Library from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a workshop from 12:40 to 3:30 p.m.
Teaching in Turbulent Times
Designed for instructional staff at the university, Teaching in Turbulent Times offers a program for navigating the 2024 election in the classroom. The event will include tips and strategies to help reduce the stress that local, national and worldwide events can create.
This event will be held Sep. 27 at the Halle Library from noon to 3 p.m. with lunch provided.
For more information on any of the Upshur Institute of Civic Education’s events, contact director Brigid Beaubian via email at bbeaubi1@emich.edu or call the Department of History and Philosophy office at 734-487-1018.
Southeast Michigan journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson are visiting EMU with a presentation on civil discourse.
