By Max Yurko
Rebranded for 2025, the Civic Engagement Institute rolled out the first of its contributions to St. Paul’s Lunch and Learn series on November 5. Upperclassmen gathered in F10/11 to attend a special session on civil disagreement and voicing dissent led by seniors Traveler Stansberry, Josh Hopkins, Tommy Woelper, and Torben Heinbockel. As part of the Civic Engagement Institute at St. Paul’s, they sought to inform the St. Paul’s community about the benefits of voicing opinions, the need for a welcoming environment in which to share ideas, and the most effect methods for expression. They began by highlighting the empathy and understanding built around dissent. A founding principle of our nation, the ability to voice dissent is one of the driving features of participatory democracy. As the citizens of the United States engage on current issues, they strengthen our democracy in the process by inviting debate. This capacity to share one’s opinion, outlined in the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, increases the diversity of thought from which innovation advances society. The group noted historical examples of advancements in the civil rights and suffrage movements that gained momentum due to public outcry.
Session leaders discussed various responsibilities the citizens of America must acknowledge to effectively express their opinions in a civil, respectful manner. Essential elements of civic responsibility in debate include clarity of thought and openness to the idea that others may know something you do not, adherence to the issues and not to personal or emotional attacks, and willingness to change if logic and evidence lie with the opposite side. One must avoid violent or hateful speech when sharing their ideas and attempt to create a respectful environment in which everyone can learn from one another. To engage in civil dialogue, one must focus solely on the ideas shared, listen to gain understanding, ask open-ended questions, and seek clarity. Avoiding confusion is very necessary in order to partake in a successful dialogue. One should also be willing to acknowledge when they are wrong or need more information and seek common ground. When seeking common ground, individuals often find many more shared values than previously thought. The group also introduced the ARE method to productively engage in debate. First, one must make their assertion or claim (A), then they must use reasoning to clarify the claim (R), and, finally, one must present supporting evidence (E). Employing this method leads to superior communication and debate skills.
Left to right: Stansberry (’26), Hopkins (’26), Heinbockel (’26), Woelper (’26)
Photo by Mr. Coleman
With the growing presence of electronics in society, they also dove into tips to partake in fruitful digital dissent. One must elevate thoughtful content, understand the rules of the platform on which they are posting, protect their personal information, and seek diverse sources. Most importantly, one must pause and fact check before sharing and be mindful of tone when posting. This will aid in creating a space where one can safely and effectively broadcast their opinions. The group concluded the discussion with a case study that presented an example of productive debate. They encouraged the audience to practice the noted methods for civil disagreement. Overall, this productive Lunch and Learn session emphasized that all citizens of the United States must seek to create a welcoming environment to engage in successful debate and exercise their 1st Amendment rights. All must be open to other ideas and strive to be thoughtful, respectful debaters so that democracy can continue to grow and thrive.
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