Civility.
The art of civility seems to be sorely missing in our discourse today.

The name-calling and expletives that run rampant online keep us from addressing the problems that we desperately need to solve.

We need to remember...

We are capable of treating each other with dignity and respect.

We are capable of having thoughtful and reflective conversations.

We are capable of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

We should all stand up for what we believe is right,
but we can do this without tearing everyone down.

The Purple Living Room Project is grounded
in a few basic principles found in our Purple Code...

Respect
We will speak respectfully.
We will listen without interrupting.
We will show interest in other points of view.

Care
We will be kind with our words and actions.
We will keep the conversation positive and calm.
We will focus on finding Purple Points of agreement.

Trust
We will voice our honest thoughts and opinions.
We will honor the trust that others give us and will refrain from discussing other participants' views outside the group.

Gratitude
We will share what makes us grateful for our country.
We will thank each other for the conversation.
​
Fun
We will focus on what we have in common.
We will look for ways to laugh together!

Let's keep these
principles in mind
as we
work together to bring
civility
back into fashion!

Who are we as a nation?

Former First Lady Laura Bush wrote this week in the Washington Post that, "Americans pride ourselves on being a moral nation."   

A moral nation.

What does that mean to you?

Polls showed this week that 2/3 of us are opposed to the policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the border.  

People across party lines objected together and it looks like some sort of fix may finally be on the way.

It is up to us to hold our leaders accountable.  

Honest bipartisan discussion is an important first step.

We may disagree on what we should be doing to secure our borders, but the majority of us agree on this purple point...

Children should not be separated from their parents.

We must let our representatives know that ​ We the People  require them to act in a way that ensures we are a moral nation.

We'd all like to believe that we are a moral nation. 

It's up to us to make sure that is the truth.

Keep Talking.

Keep Listening.

Keep working together.

-The Purple Living Room Team

​​
The weather is warming up.
Barbecues are coming out from their winter hibernation.
Kids are gleefully bursting out of schools.

Summer is HERE!

It's a great time to
connect
with family, friends, and neighbors. 

It's a wonderful time to 
explore
new places and new ideas.

It's the perfect time to
try
a Purple Points conversation!  

Invite the neighbors over for a barbecue...
Go for a hike with friends...
Meet your cousins for a picnic...

Look for the people in your world with a
different political perspective
and plan a summertime outing
that will allow you the time to discuss 
 an issue that matters to you!

And whether you're packing
your flip-flops for the beach
or
your sleeping bag for the mountains,
be sure to take your
EMPATHY 
with you wherever you go this summer.

If we approach our purple conversations
with an open heart,
we might find we have
more in common
​than we ever thought possible.

Wishing you a fun, fabulous and PURPLE summer!

​-The Purple Living Room Team