Join us June 14, 2023, at 7:00 PM EST!

Political polarization is greater now than it has been in decades. It has become increasingly difficult for Americans to have civil conversations about many topics, including school curriculum. What can we do to foster more compassionate, thoughtful, and inclusive conversations with one another about what our young people learn in school?

In this Zoom event, we will hear from two Pennsylvania state legislators, Rep. Jared Solomon (Democrat) and Rep. Jesse Topper (Republican), who are working to build bridges across partisan lines. They will be joined by three discussants, from a range of political views, who will help to identify the typical points of conflict in current public discourse and explore strategies for fostering sincere dialogue that moves beyond debate and political talking points.

Respondents include:

Sean Chambers

Assistant Dean for Faculty & Associate Professor of English, Valley Forge Military College

Rep. Solomon is based in Philadelphia and represents the 202nd district as a Democrat, while Rep. Topper is based in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and represents the 78th District as a Republican. Despite their different political affiliations, they have found ways to work together across partisan lines. Together, we will discuss the challenges of balancing personal beliefs and political opinions with the need for inclusive and equitable curriculum in our public schools.