Workshop will focus on political polarization among family members

A workshop titled “Families and Politics” being held next month at the Tuolumne County Library in Sonora will offer practical steps people can take to reduce the effects of political polarization at home and in the community.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 in the community room at the library, 480 Greenley Road. It is being presented by Building Bridges and facilitated by Braver Angels, a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to depolarize America.

Those who participate in the workshop will gain a deeper understanding of why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging and insight into the common roles that family members play in political conversations.

Participants will also learn about strategies for dealing with family political differences in a constructive way and practice useful skills for communicating with family members who hold different political views.

Although the focus is on family relationships, event organizers stated that people can apply what they learn from the workshop in conversations with practically anyone.

“You’ll also laugh and have some fun — it won’t be all serious,” event organizers stated. “After all, we all come from quirky families.”

Register for the event at https:// families- politicssonora. eventbrite. com. For more information contact organizers Mercedes Tune at mercedestune@ gmail.com or Greg Falken at greg@falken.name.

Family relationships are becoming casualties of a toxic political environment. Those who want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to their own values and political beliefs will benefit from this workshop.