Dear Newsletter,
In the summer of 1776, our Founding Fathers convened in Philadelphia to determine the future of the 13 colonies. Together, in the Pennsylvania State House, they drafted a Declaration that would sever ties with the British Empire and start a new nation, soon to be known as the United States of America. And in support of this Declaration, they made a pledge to each other:
“We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
These are the words—the promise—that have held our new nation together for the past 250 years. Through wars and peacetime, depressions and prosperity, division and reconciliation, this commitment to each other has been the foundation of our democratic republic. But let us not forget that when Benjamin Franklin was asked whether our nation would be a republic or a monarchy, he warned: “A republic, if you can keep it.”
So in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of our nation, we will be convening on hallowed grounds in Philadelphia to look back, understand this historical moment, and renew our Founders’ pledge. It will also be an opportunity for us, on our 10th Anniversary, to begin the next chapter of Braver Angels.
We will explore courageous citizenship and understand how we, as courageous citizens, can take action at the individual, local, and national levels. We will look at the progress made thus far by the Citizens Commission on Immigration, our national initiative that emerged from the votes of our delegates at our 2024 National Convention. And together, we will develop a new pledge, one that is rooted in our history and made by us, the people, for this moment.
So we ask you, on this momentous occasion: Will you join us in Philadelphia?
You’ll get to hear from elected officials like Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick about their work leading the Problem Solvers Caucus and how they’ve connected with their constituents through our Constituents Conversations program.
You’ll get to debate some of our most pressing and controversial issues, the Braver Angels way. To start: Is the Founders’ Vision for America Outdated?
You’ll get to hear about how we brought together national immigration leaders who strongly disagree with each other to break bread for a year and start finding common ground solutions on one of the nation’s most contentious issues, and then you’ll get to hear them debate it.
You’ll get to be in the room for the relaunch premiere of A Braver Way podcast and watch Mónica Guzmán interview Yuval Levin.
You’ll get to participate in workshops that’ll hone your skills in courageous citizenship, like A Braver Campus Dialogue for All, and How to Organize and Run a Constituent Conversation.
You’ll get to engage with new programs that are emerging in the next chapter of Braver Angels, like Citizen-Led Solutions, Braver Workplace, and The Civic Scholars Council.
You'll get to hear directly from the leaders of the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution. Then, throughout the convention, you’ll be able to hop on a bus and head down to Independence Square, and actually get to “be in the room where it happened.” Both museums are offering free admission to Braver Angels convention delegates. While you’re there, you can also take a guided tour of historical Philadelphia, led by Temple’s own Dialogue Institute.
You’ll even get to grab a beer with Benjamin Franklin.
And, of course, you’ll get to meet new friends and old from all across the country and of all different political persuasions, in equal numbers of red and blue. There’s nothing quite like it.
The first slate of our program is now live on our website, with still more to be announced. Check it out. It’s an event you won’t want to miss.
Join us for the 250th Anniversary of our founding in the place where we began, renewing our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor once more.
Apply today.
Sincerely,
Mark Metzger
Convention Director
Coming Up
Conversations across identity in music. This month’s Braver Music Network gathering explores a question at the heart of our work: “Have you seen moments where people with shared identities (faith, race, culture, etc.) stayed in conversation with those of a different identity instead of retreating into camps? What made that possible?”
✅ Sign up Across Identity: Staying in the Conversation
Monday, April 27 at 8 p.m. ET
Film discussion. This month, the Braver Angels Film Club is looking at what it means to come of age today in the American suburbs with Bo Burnham's acclaimed debut, Eighth Grade. Be sure to watch the film before we meet on Zoom to discuss it!
✅ Sign up National Film Club Discussion - Eighth Grade
Wednesday, April 29 at 8 p.m. ET
The binary approach. Is the Red/Blue dichotomy at the heart of BA’s success, or is it a limitation we’ve outgrown? Does it erase the viewpoints of those who don’t fit in either category? Join our national debate and tell us what you think about this critical issue.
✅ Sign up National Debate: Red/Blue at BA
Wednesday, May 6 at 8 p.m. ET
Our volunteer forum. Are you a BA Debate volunteer? Curious about becoming one? Looking to gain wisdom or to pass on what you've learned? If so, join our monthly Debate Volunteer Forum.
✅ Sign up Debate Volunteer Forum
Wednesday, May 13 at 8 p.m. ET
Great debates. If you want to bring a debate to your BA Alliance, one thing you'll want to put extra time into is your resolution. Learn how to choose the right wording and pose great questions.
✅ Sign up Braver Angels Resolution Development Workshop
Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. ET
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📊 Take a poll. Do you have opinions about how we use the Red/Blue dichotomy at BA? We want to hear them. On May 5th, the Debate Team will host an online national debate on the future of our Red/Blue framework. We need your help choosing a resolution to structure the debate! Please take this poll to weigh in on the possible resolution statements. (And if you're new to Braver Angels and are unsure what these resolutions mean, join us on May 5th to learn more!)
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“I’m right!” What happens when two people in a conversation have “I’m right!” syndrome? Read this author’s proposed prescription for the diagnosis and treatment of this widespread malady.
📖 Read How to Diagnose and Treat “I’m right!” Syndrome
Secure voting. Read about how this Supervisor of Elections used BA principles when he met with local citizens to assure them of the integrity and safety of the election process.
📖 Read Alan Hays promises ‘safe and secure’ Lake County elections
Common ground. The attendees at a Minnesota immigration debate last week were pleasantly surprised by how much consensus there was among the audience members.
📖 Read Locals Hash Out Immigration Views at Braver Angels Dialogue
A respectful exchange. A chance encounter with a stranger on an airplane offers lessons for all of us in how to disagree without fighting.
📖🎧 Read and listen Can You Disagree Without Fighting? Building Bridges, Not Battles!
Tribes and silos. Right now is a difficult time to convince Americans to come together and listen to the other side. How can we be hopeful at a time of so much anger, division, and despair?
🎧 Listen to Why Braver Angels Workshops Bring Surprise and Hope
Building bridges. BA Ambassadors meet people where they are. At meetings and events across the country, they try to convince skeptics that rebuilding civic trust is a worthwhile cause.
🎧 Listen to Braver Angels Ambassadors. Barbara Hancin and Ron McFarland
Beyond contempt. These authors say you can hold strong convictions and speak clearly about what matters to you while making space to understand those who disagree. What do you think?
🎧 Listen to Passionate convictions without the poison of contempt
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