These days, it's almost impossible to have a civil conversation with anyone of a different political view. But contrary to what you might believe, learning to talk to someone who holds deeply ingrained opinions that differ from yours without the conversation quickly devolving into an argument or nasty fight is possible, but it takes time and possibly training. That is the topic of the conversation that prompted this article.

I spent some time with Robert Jensen, author of "It's Debatable: Speaking Authentically about Tough Topics," because his book provides a way to have more in-depth and meaningful conversations on topics that are fraught with mine fields. Given the divisive political environment today, Robert Jensen and authors like him may be our only hope for being able to bridge the growing gap between the left and the right. Robert Jensen writes for those who want arguments to be grounded on facts, logic, critical introspection, and respect for one another.

https://www.laprogressive.com/

Robert Jensen, It’s Debatable: Talking Authentically about Tricky Topics (Northampton, MA: Olive Branch Press, 2024).

https://robertwjensen.org/books/its-debatable/

https://www.interlinkbooks.com/product/its-debatable/

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Debatable-Talking-Authentically-Tricky/dp/1623716845/

Subscribe to the Robert Jensen Email Updates List at http://www.thirdcoastactivist.org/jensenupdates-info.html