YACHATS — A community discussion about political opinions and beliefs entitled “Conversations Across Divides” is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 14 in Room 8 of the Yachats Commons.
The session is conducted by The Philosophical Forum, a local group that has been meeting for some 15 years to discuss a variety of ideas and stimulate discussion and thought. The session, free to all, will be moderated by Maxine Sheets-Johnstone of Yachats, a retired philosophy professor from the University of Oregon.
“I’m sure it will be a thought-provoking conversation,” said Sheets-Johnstone.
Politics is the topic because “People really need to not just talk, but listen to other people. We’re trying to open people up to see where compromise and negotiation is possible. This can be very helpful in terms of America today.”
To promote turnout, the group recently sent a letter to 311 community members of all major political parties, plus Independents, urging them to attend “in the spirit of increasing understanding, learning, and, hopefully, of uncovering common ground.” Those interested may RSVP to this email address: pforumyachats@gmail.com.
The letter also urged attendees to suggest questions for discussion on any topics they deem important. Some examples cited are “What do you think should be the major requirements of immigration?”, and “Do you think compromise and negotiation are necessary to form a more perfect union…?”
The Forum was the brainchild of Sheets-Johnstone, 93, and her husband Bert, 96, also a retired philosophy professor. The group started with about a dozen people meeting in the couple’s Yachats home. The bi-weekly sessions draw people from around the central Oregon coast.
“Being active in some way can be very, very helpful in terms of what you do or don’t do in support of causes,” said Sheets-Johnstone. “Whether you’re signing a petition, protesting or donating money, listening and activism are central aspects in our pressing issues today.”
