The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), the National Institute of Civil Discourse and the American Booksellers Association (ABA) are joining forces for a very special pilot program called, “Open Discussion Project.”  If the group finds success with the initial launch (limited to only six independent bookstore across the country), the program will go national next year.

The organization aims to host forums where folks will discuss the very issues that divide them to try and reach some understanding of other viewpoints in a healthy way. Although the group will meet monthly, the kick-off session is set for Monday, February 18 at 7 pm.

Attendees will get acquainted with the debut program and give input on the groups’ initial book selection for future discussion. The initial session will be an hour in length. Locally, the guest moderators for the evening are Hubert Morgan and Mary Gibson. These professional mediators have been recruited as facilitators to guide the discussions.

About the Project:  The club's goal is to foster dialog and better understanding between people with different political viewpoints and to provide a space for civil discourse on controversial or divisive topics. The book selections are also chosen to represent issues and viewpoints across the political spectrum.  The aim of each discussion is to promote understanding ... “Ah, now I understand how they can think that!” ... rather than convince anyone of a particular point of view. We have two facilitators skilled at doing just that.

“NCAC’s mission is to promote freedom of inquiry and expression. These are goals that are endangered by polarization because they discourage people from talking freely about the issues that really matter for the country’s future,” said Chris Finan, former director of American Booksellers for Free Expression.

Welcoming and open, the group invites all sides. “The bottom line is this: Are we creating the conversations that we want to have between people who normally would not have an opportunity to talk to others with different views?” said Finan.