By Andrea Bonime-Blanc

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Overview

Given the tragic news of the Charlie Kirk killing at a Utah university campus last week, this month’s live meeting of the “Ripped from The Headlines” Athena Alliance Salon focused on addressing political polarization and violence in America, with discussions centered around key incidents, leadership responses, and strategies to promote respectful dialogue across political divides. 

The actual question posed to the group for discussion after sharing data and news items was:

The Salon participants explored various approaches to reduce political division, including engaging with micro-communities, fostering constructive discourse, and setting a positive tone at leadership levels, while also examining how social media and generational differences impact information consumption and community engagement. The discussion concluded with emphasis on the importance of compassion in leadership and society, the need for expanding social connections beyond immediate circles, and the role of respectful discourse in addressing societal challenges at both community and institutional levels.

Our conversation – one of the most constructive and positive we have had to date on such an intense and complex topic – provided a variety of useful and practical take-aways listed at the end of this article.

Main themes discussed

Government & Social Leaders Addressing Political Polarization and Violence

I introduced the topic by sharing three videos, including a message from Bernie Sanders condemning political violence, a segment with Speaker Mike Johnson, and a report from a local TV station in Atlanta, Georgia, including statements from Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McCoon and ACLU Executive Director Andrea Young, who both urged civil discourse and nonviolent approaches. The presentation emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and the dangers of political violence, highlighting the need for respectful dialogue and understanding across political divides.

A History of Political Violence in America

I shared chronologies and stories about political violence in America, highlighting key incidents from our recent history (2021 to 2025), including the latest – the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. See 2021-2025 Timelines below sourced and visualized via ChatGPT from AP News, Reuters, Wikipedia, The Washington Post.

Discussion

Addressing Political Division Strategies

Several participants discussed strategies to address political division and violence, emphasizing the importance of engaging with micro-communities, fostering constructive discourse, and setting a positive tone at the top. One participant suggested focusing on local communities and employment to reduce isolation, while another participant highlighted the challenge of balancing workplace productivity with discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are often perceived as political. Both agreed on the need for leaders to set a nuanced tone that respects differences without allowing political conversations to disrupt work.

Gen Z Social Media Engagement

The group discussed the impact of social media and polarization on Gen Z males, with a participant highlighting an Axios article that emphasized the need for broader community engagement. They explored ways to foster respectful discourse and maintain integrity in conversations, particularly in corporate settings. Someone added that setting examples through calmness, curiosity, and independent thinking could help counteract polarization. The discussion touched on the potential dangers of constant social media use and the importance of creating meaningful community interactions both online and offline.

Generational Shifts in Digital Consumption

The group discussed generational differences in information consumption, with one participant noting that Gen Z prefers video platforms like TikTok and YouTube over traditional articles. Another participant highlighted how increased isolation, both pre- and post-pandemic, has led to more people engaging with the internet and forming virtual communities, emphasizing the need to understand these dynamics to address them effectively. The conversation also touched on the fear of societal change among older generations, and the challenges faced by younger people in today’s world.

Compassion and Leadership in Society

The group discussed the importance of compassion in leadership and society, with one participant introducing the concept of the Compassion Quotient (CQ) as a measurable and cultivatable trait that builds trust and strong relationships. Someone else shared observations about how the wealth divide and recent events have affected younger generations’ engagement with community and activism, expressing concern about finding effective ways to encourage positive change and civic participation.

Expanding Social Connections Globally

The group discussed the importance of expanding social connections beyond immediate circles and engaging with diverse perspectives, both locally and globally. One person emphasized the value of experiencing different cultures and communities, while another highlighted the need to overcome isolationism and build meaningful in-person connections. An additional participant suggested that workplaces can foster a culture of respectful disagreement by inviting diverse perspectives and ensuring all voices are heard, which can help in modeling constructive behavior for others.

Respectful Leadership for Societal Change

The group discussed the role of respectful discourse and leadership in addressing societal challenges, emphasizing the need for civil conversation and debate in educational institutions and communities. Andrea highlighted the importance of starting solutions at the community level and suggested addressing political system issues through new leadership and improved communication methods. One participants shared an inspiring story about a Black woman who successfully befriended Ku Klux Klan families, offering a positive example of finding common ground. The conversation ended with a focus on finding solutions rather than complaining about problems.

Practical Takeaways & To-Dos

• CEOs and organizational leaders should convey messages to employees about fostering respectful discourse while maintaining focus on work objectives.
• Organizational leaders need to reinforce company values that promote respectful dialogue across political differences.
• We all need to engage more deeply with our micro-communities to counter political polarization. 
• We need to check our organization’s insurance policies and physical security measures in light of increased political violence.
• We especially need to consider ways to engage with Gen Z men who may be isolated and spending excessive time online.
• Overall, the metastasizing toxicity and destructiveness of social media and internet addiction are things we must address and counter urgently at both the earliest stages of children’s lives as well as our own adult lives.