Beyond Contempt: How Liberals Can Communicate Across the Great Divide

By Erica Etelson

A guide to productive dialogue across ideological divides with practical tools for building trust, defusing hostility, and approaching hot-button topics.

With the election of President Biden, many liberals thought that the world of political discourse would somehow go back to normal. But the continued extremism of Republican politicians and conservative pundits has only stoked the flames of progressive disdain in ways that make it harder than ever to engage in civil debate.

In Beyond Contempt, Erica Etelson shows us how to communicate effectively across the political divide without soft-pedaling our beliefs--or playing into the hands of divisive politicians. Using Powerful Non-Defensive Communication skill sets, we can express ourselves in ways that inspire open-minded consideration instead of triggering defensive reactions. With detailed instruction and helpful examples, Etelson demonstrates how we can open hearts and minds in unexpected ways.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0865719179
• ISBN13: 9780865719170
• Release Date: December 2019
• Publisher: New Society Publishers
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Let's do something about polarization!

This book and the approach described provide a means by which those of us who are progressives can passionately express our concerns and values but do so in way that opens up communication and allows us to connect with and reach others. Extremely well-researched, it is well-written in a humorous, self-disclosing and, even, lyrical way that makes reading it enjoyable, as well as informative. Please read it!