Civility Month
NOVEMBER IS CIVILITY MONTH IN CHELSEA
Divisiveness, polarization, bullying, civility and lack of civil discourse are descriptions that pepper our comments with friends and family. Even the candidates for local elections have included these in their statement of concerns. The Chelsea Human Rights Commission, along with multiple community groups, would like to explore these issues and hopefully offer ways we can learn to have difficult conversations but remain calm and respectful.
This November, Chelsea will celebrate Civility Month with different opportunities throughout the month to explore this issue. Events are being offered by the Human Rights Commission, the Chelsea District Library, the CRC, One World One Family, the Community Forum, and artist Kathy Gunderson.
Thursday, Nov 4. Civility Month Kick-Off. Panel discussion presented by the Human Rights Commission. A group of local leaders and citizens will address this question: Words like divisiveness, polarization, intolerance, bullying and meanness have been used to describe our current climate. How do these show up in your experience and what do you think we can do about it? The panelists will share brief statements followed by discussion and questions from attendees. The discussion will be moderated by Chelsea-resident Dr. Vince Elie. Panelists and their area of expertise include: Dr. Julie Helber (schools), Jeanne Franks (faith community), Melissa Johnson (government), Jean Vargas (seniors), Michelle Tuplin (area business), youth representatives, and Justin Heinze (parent and expert in school safety). Presented on Zoom. 7-8.30pm Link will available on City website. www.city-chelsea.org
Wednesday, Nov 10. CLARA Workshop hosted by One World One Family. This interactive workshop will cover the practice of CLARA. CLARA is an acronym that gives us an easy way to remember five concrete steps for building and maintaining respect and common ground with a conversation partner: Center, Listen, Affirm your similarities, Respond, and Ask Questions (or Add Information). The CLARA method is a way to achieve productive, civil conversations. The workshop will be led by Layla Ananda, MA, LLP, an experienced CLARA presenter. 7pm on Zoom. Register here.
Saturday, Nov 13. Community Forum. This zoom discussion, normally held on the 2nd Saturday of the month, will be focused on the topic of civility. Those attending the session will help to set the session’s agenda. Watch local media for link. 9am via Zoom.
Saturday, Nov 13. Movie and discussion hosted by the CRC. 12 Angry Men will be shown followed by discussion afterwards moderated by Dr. Al Hollenbeck. This movie, regarded as a masterpiece, is about a jury’s process of working together to arrive at a difficult decision. 2pm. In the theater of Dancy House (Main Bldg). Directions posted at the door. Limited to 50 and masks required. (If Covid restrictions apply, event will be postponed.)
Monday, Nov 15 Civility in the Visual Arts. Led by art historian Kathy Gunderson. Artists throughout history have provided a visual commentary on the social, political and religious world of their time. Kathy will discuss two artists known for their work addressing humanity in world events in the 20th and 21st centuries: Norman Rockwell and the street artist Banksy. 6.30 pm in the McKune Room of the Chelsea District Library. (If Covid restrictions apply, event will be postponed.)
