Let’s stop cancelling each other when we express our opinions

That’s the premise behind a new initiative at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph and nearby St. John’s University. Called “Disagreeing Better,” it aims to encourage people to speak their minds without fear and to respectfully disagree. A number of activities have taken place there over the past week, including a Wednesday night debate on cancel culture, in which Lamatsch participated alongside dozens of other students from St. Ben’s, St. John’s and the University of St. Thomas, affectionately known as Bennies, Johnnies and Tommies.

The debate was not a campaign debate and there were no winners or losers. Instead, according to debate chair Bernie Armada, it emphasized “a shared search for truth.” Several speakers expressed their opinions and then answered questions from the audience. Participants were interested in speaking honestly about their views and discussing ideas rather than launching personal attacks.

The Disagreeing Better initiative is based on ideas from Braver Angels, a nonprofit founded after the 2016 election to reduce political polarization. It wants people to be able to express their views without fear, believing that it’s not worth talking to anyone.

In the debate format, speakers and audience do not address each other directly. Instead, they address the debate moderator and speak about each other in the third person, just as they do in Congress. (“Mr. Speaker, would the lady from Alaska give in…”)

While some students found the format contrived, it drew attention away from the person speaking and toward their ideas, reducing the risk of anyone feeling personally attacked. More importantly, it provided a few extra breaks between exchanges of ideas, giving participants time to think and reflect.

In this context, it would be fine to say that America should abolish police departments. It would also be fine to argue that police departments are necessary to maintain social order.