Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Holiday season Ten Commandments for the civil conversations

Holiday season Ten Commandments for the civil conversations
Getty Images

Dr. Johnson is a United Methodist pastor, the author of "Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community" (Abingdon Press, 2017) and Program Director for the Bridge Alliance, which houses The Fulcrum.

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes celebrations, reunions, and in many cases, many opinions. Navigating civic discussions may seem daunting with the current highly polarized national and international political landscape. However, it's essential to leverage this time of year to engage in meaningful conversations on pressing issues with family, friends, and even adversaries.


Society benefits from open exchanges of ideas, as it fosters growth and understanding among individuals. To ensure these exchanges are respectful, inclusive, and productive, the following are some commandments or guidelines for hosting constructive civic discussions during your holiday gatherings.

1. Thou shalt set ground rules: Encourage everyone present to adhere to broad principles such as respect, empathy, and active listening. Establishing an environment where everyone feels safe to share their views without fear of judgment or attack is vital to nurturing fruitful conversations.

2. Thou shalt find common ground: Before delving into contentious issues, it is helpful to identify shared values or interests. Recognizing mutual goals can facilitate cooperation and mutual understanding instead of antagonism.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

3. Thou shalt focus on the issues: Discuss the underlying topics rather than getting entangled in ad hominem attacks or sensationalized narratives. Avoid attacking one another's character or political affiliations - they only derail the conversation from finding standard solutions.

4. Thou shalt avoid presumptions: We all wear different lenses through which we interpret the world; appreciating those differences will open pathways for genuine dialogue. Approach each discussion with curiosity and humility - resist imposing our assumptions onto others.

5. Thou shalt practice active listening: Give others the space to express themselves by listening with concentration and responding genuinely rather than waiting for gaps to interject our opinions. Active listening demonstrates respect and acknowledges their perspective's validity.

6. Thou shalt foster compassion: Demonstrating empathy towards others' perspectives can be transformative, dissolving barriers and encouraging unity. Acknowledge emotions that discussions can evoke, and work together to find resolutions rooted in shared well-being.

7. Thou shalt incorporate inclusive language: To ensure everyone feels valued, use language that respects diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences, and sensitivities.

8. Thou shalt agree to disagree: Civility doesn't necessarily mean reaching a consensus on every subject but ensuring that differing opinions are respected and don't hinder relationships. Accept that disagreements will arise, and explore lessons learned from these differences.

9. Thou shalt cultivate emotional intelligence: Gauge the room for emotional cues and adjust conversations to maintain a respectful environment. Please pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal signals as they reflect the comfort level of participants.

10. Thou shalt encourage continuous dialogue: Offer space for ongoing discussion in everyday life rather than reserving contentious conversations for special occasions. Consistently engaging in open dialogue establishes healthy habits and nurtures productive conversation within your circle.

By implementing these respectful practices in your gatherings, you can encourage respectful, enlightening exchanges while minimizing conflict. The outcome? A better understanding of our communities' challenges and the shared responsibility to build bridges of empathy, respect, and cooperation to pursue collective solutions.

Read More

Trump to the Nation: "We're Just Getting Started"

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is speaking about the early achievements of his presidency and his upcoming legislative agenda.

(Photo by Mandel Ngan-Pool/Getty Images)

Trump to the Nation: "We're Just Getting Started"

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress, emphasizing that his administration is “just getting started” in the wake of a contentious beginning to his second term. Significant themes, including substantial cuts to the federal workforce, shifts in traditional American alliances, and the impact of an escalating trade war on markets, characterized his address.

In his speech, Trump highlighted his actions over the past six weeks, claiming to have signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken over 400 executive actions to restore “common sense, safety, optimism, and wealth” across the country. He articulated that the electorate entrusted him with the leadership role and stressed that he was fulfilling that mandate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump’s Tariffs: a burden on workers, a boon for the wealthy

An illustration of a deconstructed dollar bill.

Getty Images, rob dobi

Trump’s Tariffs: a burden on workers, a boon for the wealthy

Earlier this year, President Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, claiming they would fix trade imbalances and protect jobs. However, instead of helping American workers, these tariffs act as hidden taxes; they drive up costs and feed inflation. While average Americans bear the brunt of higher prices and lost jobs, the wealthy are insulated from the worst effects.

Many economists assert that tariffs are stealth taxes, that is, the burden is not distributed equally—while corporations may adjust by diversifying suppliers or passing costs along, working households cannot escape higher prices on essential goods like groceries and electronics. Analysts estimate these tariffs could add $1,250 to the annual cost of living for the average American household—a substantial burden for families already struggling with inflation. Additionally, according to the well-regarded Tax Foundation, the tariffs are projected to reduce GDP by 0.5% and result in the loss of approximately 292,000 jobs.

Keep ReadingShow less
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases should apply for compensation

An individual applying for a program online.

Getty Images, Inti St Clair

Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases should apply for compensation

In 1922, the U.S. Navy identified asbestos as the most efficient material for shipbuilding insulation and equipment production due to its heat resistance and durability. The naturally occurring asbestos mineral was also the most abundant and cost-effective material on the market. During the difficult WWII years, asbestos became critical to the U.S. Military, especially for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force: shipping and shipbuilding were essential, and parts of the military aircraft and incendiary bombs also contained asbestos.

Even as demand exceeded supply, in 1942, a presidential order banned the use of asbestos for non-military purposes until 1945. The application of asbestos-based material by the Military continued to increase until the 1970s when its carcinogenic nature came to light, and the use of asbestos started to be regulated but not banned.

Keep ReadingShow less
S.E. Cupp: Where is the Democratic Party’s Ronald Reagan?

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump arrive for the inauguration ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025.

Getty Images/TCA, Melina Mara/POOL/AFP

S.E. Cupp: Where is the Democratic Party’s Ronald Reagan?

With all the attention deservedly on President Trump and what he intends to do with his defiant return to the White House, there’s a more than good chance we’ll spend the next four years consumed once again by all things Trump.

There’s already been a dizzying amount: a giant raft of executive orders; attacks on a constitutional amendment; his threats to invade sovereign nations; a seeming Nazi salute from one of his biggest surrogates; his sweeping Jan. 6 pardons; his beef with a bishop; his TikTok flip-flop; his billion-dollar meme coin controversy; scathing new allegations against one of his Cabinet picks; unilaterally renaming a body of water; a federal crackdown on DEI; promises of immigration raids across major cities. All this in just the first three days of Trump’s second term.

Keep ReadingShow less