On April 29, the East-Central Illinois Alliance of Braver Angels held a “Fishbowl event” as part of their monthly meeting, held at the Champaign Public Library. ¶ In this format, eight speakers — four Republicans (red fish) and four Democrats (blue fish) — each answered two questions in a three-minute allotted time frame. ¶ The questions: “What about your party’s policies and values are good for the country?” and “What reservations do you have about your party?” ¶ The 30 or so audience members were then asked to give feedback. Here, two participants (one red, one blue) share their experiences.

I volunteered to be a red participant because I had experienced two Zoom Fishbowls to be powerful and worthwhile. Red and blue speakers take timed turns explaining their views on a chosen topic, while the other side quietly listens, like observing fish in a fishbowl.

Feedback is limited by clear ground rules to focus on finding common ground and understanding, not persuading or debating. The format enables learning about others and ourselves very efficiently and calmly.

However, since the election, I had yet to speak publicly as a red or even attend a Braver Angels meeting.

What could I say in three minutes, as a lifelong Republican whose research and conscience kept me from voting for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? Still, I trusted a Braver Angels meeting to be the safest place to start.

To prepare, I first read Brittanica’s full entries for the Republican and Democratic parties, to refresh myself on their values and policies and not just be swayed by politicians making headlines.

Facing the room of 35-plus attendees, I felt comforted to be seated between two red speakers on my left and one on my right.

The blues won the coin toss and went first. Their first speaker valued adequate funding by the government and didn’t like “cancel culture.” Another highlighted values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, with reservations about transgender athletes.

During the red feedback session for the blue speakers, I said that I agreed with “cancel culture” not being a good response and appreciated hearing a blue say so.

The Fishbowl structure enabled a calm hour of courageous reds and blues engaged and humbly learning from each other, instead of an unproductive brawl. Experiences like this help democracy thrive in the country we are united in loving.

The primary reason I joined our local Braver Angels’ Alliance last summer was to appreciate the shades of variation — nuances — in the views of those whose politics differ from my own. Too often I generalize and make assumptions about groups of voters who hold opposite political positions.

Since joining Braver Angels, I have participated in three Fishbowl events — the one at the Champaign library on April 29 and two national events held on Zoom.

Each Fishbowl posed two questions or prompts that elicited politically contrasting views. Participants were encouraged to share responses to the questions fully and honestly and to disagree respectfully.

The structure and moderation of the Fishbowl events provided an opportunity to really listen to alternative political views and learn something about how individuals came to hold views different from my own. I believe that this practice of stretching my “I never thought about it that way” mental muscle can help reduce the harmful polarization present in our nation.

1. Why do I personally think that my side’s values and policies are good for the country?

Political parties’ values influence the policies they advance. I will focus on two values of mine that I associate with the Democratic Party.

The first is a belief that an adequately funded government at federal, state and local levels is necessary to ensure all Americans have a shot at “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” — a cornerstone of American ideals. All of us benefit from access to good schools, parks, mass transit and libraries.

Government oversight and support — through funding and regulations — helps level the playing field for individuals and families whose life circumstances limit their ability to pursue “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” They may have a physical disability or serious illness, may have lost a job due to economic changes, or earn too little to afford adequate housing, health care, food or child care.

A frequent Republican response is to let the private sector rather than the government address these needs. Privatization of public services, however, often leads to reducing services, lowering wages and decreasing quality to maximize profit (which is the mission of the private sector).

The competition that arises with privatization can also result in the loss of services (something that occurs within education, for example, when privately managed charter schools don’t accept certain students, or mismanaged charter schools close altogether).

Privatization and competition can also lead to inefficiencies like those we experience with our nation’s health-care model. Compared to other high-income countries, the U.S. health-care system ranks last in access to care, administrative efficiency, equity and health-care outcomes.

The second value I hold that is espoused by Democrats is addressing the growing wealth gap. Income inequality in the U.S. is higher than almost all other developed countries.

The Democrats support proposals to reduce income inequality — a more progressive income tax, a higher minimum wage and expanded educational opportunities — because it gives everyone a shot at the American Dream and because not doing so undermines our democracy. Research conducted in other countries with failed democracies has shown that income inequality leads to democratic backsliding.

2. What are my personal reservations or concerns about my own side?

The Democrats need to build a broader coalition of groups — a bigger tent —with whom we share common ground on the key issues of economic opportunity, reducing income inequality and enabling government to support those who have been left behind.

We fall short when we insist on uniformity of thought that can result in a “cancel culture,” which stifles healthy and open discourse.

The most welcoming aspect of the Fishbowl events is the experience of listening to others’ political views and the experience of being listened to. The Braver Angels structure allows for this exchange to happen honestly and respectfully.

Like many, I am deeply troubled by the Trump administration’s chaotic and harmful actions. I recognize that the path forward depends on finding common ground between those who support the current administration and those who do not. That won’t happen if we continue to remain in our silos, certain of our positions and making assumptions about others.

7 p.m. today in the Robeson Pavilion of the Champaign Public Library. Members of the public are welcome to attend.