We Talk

About us

The purpose of We Talk is to foster a culture of responsible and respectful civic, social, political and policy engagement. We seek to raise awareness about free speech protections and promote the value of respecting viewpoint diversity as part of the academic setting and learning environment. Our programming provides tools and resources for campus and community members to learn and practice skills to effectively engage in difficult conversations with people who hold differing perspectives and points of view. Program development is guided by the principles and practices of Heterodox Academy, which is focused on improving the quality of research and education in universities by increasing open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement. Your donation can help provide vital support to this initiative. Donate to We Talk.

U.S. Assistant secretary for indian affairs bryan newland

WMU was honored to host Mr. Bryan Newland (Ojibwe), Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior on April 13, 2023. Mr. Newland is a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community in northern Michigan, where he served as Tribal President from 2017 to 2021. 

Mr. Newland works to strengthen the government-to-government and nation-to-nation relationships with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. In his visit to WMU he spoke about how the traditional Seven Grandfathers teaching has guided his work in public service and helped him to engage across diverse communities. 

Diversity Without Division

Moral Courage College came to campus on March 21st and 22nd for a thought-provoking, interactive and engaging experience that delves into the heart of what it means to build a culture of belonging. Diversity Without Division™ is a uniquely unifying strategy and toolkit for inclusion. It uses brain science to foster empathy so that differences can be explored in ways that bring people together.

Re-stitching the fabric of our democracy for the 21st century

The founding leaders of Interfaith America, author Eboo Patel, and Manu Meel of BridgeUSA, came to campus October 5 and 6 to share how their organizations work with institutions and individuals to build a more diverse and just democracy. They hosted student-focused events and a campus/community conversation. Learn what these national civic leaders had to say about how to strengthen the social fabric of our campus and community.

 

Collaboration, compromise happens with civility  

WMU We Talk hosted a stop on U.S. Congressional Representative Debbie Dingell and Fred Upton's Civility Tour at Heritage Hall on August 1. President Edward Montgomery served as the moderator of an engaging and enlightening conversation about how the two members of the Problem Solvers Caucus have reached across the aisle in recent years to pass important legislation and foster civility.

Free speech cafes

Informal panel discussions about free speech rights and responsibilities that are video recorded for future use! Cafés are typically hosted by a moderator and 2-3 panelists, who take questions from the audience. All cafes are eligible for Signature credit in the Civic Engagement pathway. Visit the Cafés webpage to access event information and recordings.

MOVING CONVERSATIONS @ WMU

Learn to be a better listener in this 40-minute, script-guided exercise between two people designed to facilitate compassion and connection. Developed by Dr. Doug Lepisto, the exercise is built upon principles of positive psychology and can be facilitated in classes, with groups and at home with family and friends. Learn more.

READ WITH US

WMU, We Talk and the Fetzer Institute look forward to welcoming author and national interfaith leader Eboo Patel to Kalamazoo on Thursday, Oct. 6. Join us in reading his May-released book, "We Need to Build: Fieldnotes For Diverse Democracy," in preparation for a public presentation on Oct. 6. Thank you to our co-sponsors: this is a bookstore and Bookbug and Waldo Library. 

LEARN WITH US

Civil discourse begins with a personal understanding of interactions we have with family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.  We need "tools for talking when the stakes are high. Western Michigan University is a member of theHeterodox Academy, an international organization that aspires to create college classrooms and campuses that welcome diverse people with diverse viewpoints and that equip learners with the habits of heart and mind to engage that diversity in open inquiry and constructive disagreement.

• Enjoy this thought-provoking Intentional Dialogue Guide about the difference between understanding and agreement.
• Also available is the Bridging Difference Playbook, offering research-based strategies to promote positive dialogue and understanding.

Talk to us

Would you like to get involved in the We Talk movement? To receive our mailings register here, or use the Contact Us form to communicate with us.     

You can help

We Talk is made possible in large part through grants and private donations from those who support the cause of free speech, civil discourse and viewpoint diversity. We welcome your donation via the link below or inquiries about how you can help by sending an email to: wetalk@wmich.edu. 

DONATE NOW

 fetzer institute key partner

The We Talk civil discourse initiative is supported by the Fetzer Institute, which awarded a $93,000 grant to We Talk in early 2022 to expand its educational opportunities to help people learn the skill sets and become receptive to resolving conflicting beliefs through intentional listening, rational actions and language, and empathy. The first initiative of the partnership was welcoming Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps, an ongoing national oral history project, and its One Small Step initiative to Kalamazoo in March 2022. Read more.