Civil Discourse Discussions with Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Welcome to the conversation. How do we maintain civility while holding to our individual values as we discuss education, political, religious, and social topics?
On January 23, 2024, High School students had the opportunity to observe dialogue between Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion David Whitfield and American TV personality, talk show host, and Ensworth parent Elisabeth Hasselbeck on civil discourse. Whitfield inspired students to learn to disagree without being violently disagreeable, referencing the model through the Harkness Table. "Always seeking the common good," he charged.
As Hasselbeck and Whitfield spoke on stage, students were offered great knowledge and experience on how to engage in meaningful conversations with those who may have differing opinions. Hasselback, a former talk show host on The View, interviewed multiple United States presidents of varying political beliefs, as well as multiple politicians, religious leaders, and the like. She shared what she learned about such interviews and marked that often she learned the hard way how to engage in relationships potentially challegend by differing views. "Be in relationship while you hold your issues," Hasselback shared.
We know from the political sphere debates are often designed for division rather than coming together. She cautioned students to always consider the motivation of the news, social media, politicians, etc. "What is this trying to tell me?" she advised. "Stay awake," she added.
In Search of Truth - the best way to find truth is to see it from different perspectives.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck will continue the conversation on January 24.
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Red Gables Campus (K–8)
Frist Campus (9–12)
Ensworth is a coeducational, kindergarten through twelfth grade, independent day school.