Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is an important tool in building understanding and community. Marshall Rosenberg, who developed this model of communication, asserted that all emotions arise from met or unmet needs. NVC invites us to recognize our feelings and needs, share our lived experiences, and listen to and learn from each other.
Resources
Joy Ming, an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and PhD student at Cornell Information Science created this visual map of Nonviolent Communication.
Discussing politics can be challenging, especially when the person you’re sharing the conversation with does not share your political views. This article gives a step-by-step overview of how to have a breakthrough conversation across party lines.
Knowing the difference between calling someone in or calling someone out, can help us reflect, then act, in the ways we feel will best promote constructive change.
Check out this video that explains the importance of nonviolent communication. Please note that NVC is not a technique to end disagreements, but rather a method designed to increase empathy and improve the quality of our connections.
Reflection
What concerns, if any, do you have about engaging in what are typically considered difficult conversations about race, politics, religion, etc.?
In your experience, what words or actions have you or others used that made you feel heard and/or bridged a divide? Or made you feel dismissed and/or shut down communication?