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  • THE QUESTION
  • How can poetry promote respectful public discourse, encourage a deeper understanding of humanity, and be a catalyst for positive social change?

How can poetry promote respectful public discourse, encourage a deeper understanding of humanity, and be a catalyst for positive social change?

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THE QUESTION is collaborating with WVU Libraries’ Talking Publicly series, which sponsors public conversation in search of a better world.  Poet Maggie Anderson will give a poetry reading and lead a discussion on April 4th, from 3:30-5pm in the Milano Reading Room of the Downtown Library. 

*How does poetry inspire respectful public conversation about issues on which people passionately disagree?

*What are some poems or songs that have inspired respectful public discourse on contentious issues and/or inspired positive social change?

*What ought to be the goals of public discourse on matters steeped in disagreement?  Consensus?  A deeper understanding of the issues? Something else?

*Is disagreement healthy in a civil society?  If so, what are core features that distinguish healthy disagreements from toxic disagreements?

We hope you will ponder these questions and chime in on them here, on Facebook @wvuthequestion, at our Eliza's exhibit in the WVU Downtown Library, or anywhere else!