Conversation Club

The June meeting will once again focus on School Choice in Vermont. Should Vermont allow towns to grant school vouchers to parents who wish to send their children to religious schools? Last month, we focused on biased rhetoric in a range of op/eds on the topic. This month, we’ll consider better ways to deliberate this important topic using Amanda Ripley’s recent publication High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out. The library has ordered 5 copies which we hope will arrive prior to the meeting. To get a sense of her approach, here’s an interview on the Braver Angels podcast. Ripley argues that too many political discussions are hijacked by conflict entrepreneurs.

The Conversation Club strives to increase understanding across the political divide. We’ll lay out the best arguments for and against School Choice and then consider what sort of solution would give political opponents the most dignity. Newcomers are welcome and all opinions are valued!

We will also discuss starting a Braver Angels chapter here in Newfane/Windham County and welcome the feedback of attendees about doing that. There will be a Braver Angels info session (on zoom) by the Franklin County Vermont chapter on June 16th which will share more about the BA approach.