Posted on November 4, 2024 by Isaac Windes, San Antonio Report
As Election Day approaches in San Antonio, students across the city are immersing themselves in the historic and often contentious election process, finding creative ways to better understand the ins and outs of democracy, while older students prepare to delve into the emotional complexities of civic engagement.
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Meanwhile, leaders at a few of the major higher education institutions in San Antonio are looking to help students navigate the complex emotions and questions likely to arise in the hours, days and weeks after a contentious election cycle.
Trinity University recently launched “The Conversation,” an initiative aimed at creating spaces for students to engage with differing perspectives on topics like immigration, reproductive rights and politics. Interim Associate Provost Kyle Gillette told the San Antonio Report on the eve of the election that the effort is about more than just politics — it’s about teaching students to navigate disagreements productively.
“We’ve been taught that it’s not safe to talk to people on the other side,” Gillette said, referencing Danielle Allen’s book Talking to Strangers, a key focus for a recent reading group at the university. “One of the most important things for democracy is to build the capacity to relate to those with whom we disagree.”
The day after the election, Trinity will host post-election listening circles, where students can process the results — whether clear or still uncertain.
The university’s approach focuses not only on understanding national politics but also on connecting students with local issues and instilling the belief that civic responsibility continues beyond Election Day, he said, pointing to other important local elections in the near future such as the open San Antonio mayoral race next May.
A similar effort has taken shape at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where the Center for Dialogue and Deliberation is also preparing to help students navigate the post-election landscape. Laurie Lewis, the center’s director, emphasized the importance of teaching students to engage in authentic listening and collaborative communication during this polarized time.
“We need the tools to communicate about those differences and explore them with each other,” Lewis said. “And that’s, in our view, the foundation of resolving conflicts, of making good decisions, and collaborating to solve complicated problems.”
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— Isaac Windes, San Antonio Report
