Polarization: Can We Find Common Ground?

Conversation leader: David Stradley

Suitable for Schools · Grades 9–12

Recent data shows that Americans report feeling more polarized than ever. In today’s political climate, we may feel there is a wide gulf between ourselves and our fellow citizens, colleagues, community members, or loved ones. How do we talk with people who may hold views that differ steeply from our own? In this conversation, we’ll explore our associations with polarization, consider our own discomforts and barriers, and find ways to meet one another on common ground.

Meet the Conversation Leader

David Stradley has twenty years of experience connecting a broad mix of Delawareans to ideas and to each other. David moved to the First State in 2002 for a position at Delaware Theatre Company, where he directed productions, developed audience engagement events, and ran educational programs. From 2011-2023, he served as Producing Artistic Director of Delaware Shakespeare, launching the Community Tour, which shares free theatre with the full spectrum of humanity in our state by traveling to locations such as prisons, homeless shelters, and community centers. David is now Director of Membership and Community Engagement with the Local Journalism Initiative. He lives in Claymont with his wife and son.