This Is the Moment

America is more divided than ever—or so we’re told. Trust in institutions is crumbling. Polarization is rising. Civic engagement is dwindling. These aren’t abstract problems—they’re lived realities reflected in the frayed relationships within our communities, workplaces, and families. What if, instead of focusing on division, we recognized a deeper, shared frustration that unites us? Across political and ideological lines, most of us agree on at least one thing: the system isn’t working for so many of us to thrive.

Dissatisfaction binds us whether you lean left or right, whether you’re disillusioned by government inaction or outraged by institutional overreach. Most of us want the same things: a system that works, leaders who listen, and communities where we feel heard and valued.

Shared discontent offers fresh hope. How can we turn our shared frustration into an opportunity to rethink how we connect, deliberate, and solve problems, transforming it into a catalyst for meaningful change?

Of course, this is a challenging time for many to reach across lines of difference and political division. For some, it is a moment to step back from the clamor of current headlines and focus on personal or community healing. Yet, even in difficult times, we can create space for open, honest conversations. Dialogue grounded in listening and curiosity can lay the foundation for meaningful change. What if you set your Thanksgiving table as your family agora—a space for courageous conversations rich in tradition, trust, and genuine challenges, where understanding and new possibilities can take root?

Sitting down with those who see the world differently is a chance to rekindle the civic dialogue we've been missing—one rooted in respect, shared values, and deeper understanding. It prompts us to ask: What if we engaged with curiosity rather than avoiding tough conversations? What kind of communities do we truly want? How can we build systems that reflect our shared humanity?

These small conversations can’t  solve every problem in one evening, but they can remind us of our shared stake in the future of our democracy. When these connections ripple outward—when what begins at the kitchen table informs what happens in our schools, workplaces, and communities—they can become the building blocks of something much more significant.

At the University of Oregon’s Agora Journalism Center, we explore how the quality of stories we tell each other affects our civic health. Agora, from the Greek, refers to a public gathering place where citizens come together to deliberate and engage. To transform these conversations into meaningful civic dialogue that impacts people's lives, they need support from a new civic communication infrastructure that amplifies kitchen-table discussions into broader societal engagement and action.

This is where civic media steps in. Civic media practitioners—community storytellers, producers, and local journalists—amplify conversations into broader narratives, ensuring that individual voices shape meaningful civic engagement. The goal isn’t just to inform or entertain; it's to equip people with the communication tools to improve their communities.

One such model is highlighted in the Local News Roadmap. “Civic media,” emerging from the local news crisis, can potentially restore and enhance our communities' civic health. Civic media builds on American journalism’s traditions of informing the public, elevating voices, and shaping policy. Networks of civic media—from digital news startups to public and legacy media, libraries and grassroots organizations—can build trust within communities by creating a more robust and equitable information ecosystem. By sharing power, diversifying funding models, coordinating action, and connecting organizations with new audiences, these networks can strengthen local democracy and foster genuine connections that bring communities closer together.

In his 2022 NiemanLab prediction for journalism, Victor Pickard proposed Public Media Centers as a vital funding model to sustain a healthy civic communication ecosystem. As hubs for local storytelling, collaboration, and civic engagement, these centers aim to expand access to trustworthy news and empower communities with the tools and support needed to actively participate in a thriving civic ecosystem.

To be clear, these potential frameworks don’t replace journalists. Quite the opposite—their expertise in accountability journalism is more vital than ever. Investigative rigor is a muscle we all need to keep strengthening, but it's not the only one. Journalists also need to build their muscles for collaboration. And the very process of journalism could use some new routines. As outlined in Damian Radcliffe's recent Agora Journalism Center report, the framework of community-centered journalism underscores the value of deeply engaging with local communities to inform storytelling that genuinely resonates. Prioritizing community voices and collaborative storytelling ensures that journalism facilitates building stronger civic bonds.

Lofty words and dreams aside, what are examples of centering communities in the media? Here are just a few ways journalists and civic engagement practitioners are transforming kitchen-table conversations into opportunities to find common ground.

• Bring It to the Table: This initiative by Talking Eyes Media creates a space for individuals from diverse backgrounds to discuss controversial topics and move beyond stereotypes. Using storytelling and shared experiences, Bring It to the Table transforms political disagreements into opportunities for empathy and understanding, emphasizing the importance of finding shared humanity amid division.
• Guns: An American Conversation: This project brought together Americans with differing views on gun control to engage in a nationwide discussion. By leveraging social media and face-to-face dialogues, Guns: An American Conversation aimed to break down the polarization surrounding gun debates, demonstrating that nuanced and productive discussions on contentious issues are possible when participants approach each other with an open mind and a willingness to understand.
• My Country Talks brings together individuals with opposing political views to engage in one-on-one conversations. This project encourages participants to discuss their perspectives openly, providing a structured environment for honest dialogue across divides. It fosters understanding between people who might otherwise never interact, aiming to reduce polarization through personal connection and meaningful exchange.
• Civility Tennessee fosters respectful and civil conversations among Tennesseans across political divides. Community dialogues create opportunities for people to connect on shared values rather than focusing on differences. This initiative is a model for building bridges in divided communities by encouraging genuine listening and respect.
• Oregon Humanities’ Conversation Project facilitates community conversations on pressing social issues across the state. Led by trained facilitators, these discussions help participants explore complex topics through dialogue rather than debate, creating an environment that encourages empathy, curiosity, and the discovery of shared values. This project highlights the power of conversation to foster civic engagement and strengthen community ties.

This Thanksgiving, let's break bread and conventions. Let’s channel our shared frustrations into imagining a system reflecting our collective values and shared realities. Let's turn these conversations into action, weaving them into a broader civic framework that leads to meaningful change. There is a growing, galvanized movement ready to address our deepening civic challenges—one that must involve everyone who cares about democracy and the future of informed communities.

With the right structures, journalism and civic media can help rebuild trust, foster engagement, and empower diverse voices to drive systemic change. Together, we can create a world where everyone has a voice, belongs, and thrives.

 

Below are some of the resources Andrew DeVigal shares with his students to inspire them to approach journalism as a tool for connection and public service:

• "Complicating the Narratives" by Amanda Ripley for Solutions Journalism
• I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán
• Gather: a platform to support community-minded journalists led by the Agora Journalism Center and codeveloped with the community of practice.

Tags

Civic Life, Conversation, Politics