Frequently Asked Questions
Using RedBlue
How do I get back to the right place in my dialogue?
Wherever you find yourself in RedBlue, you can always return to the current page of your dialogue by clicking “My Dialogues” on the right side of the navigation bar at the top of the page.
What if my partner is being abusive?
Abuse is not easy to define, but RedBlue prohibits the use of abusive language. A strong disagreement may feel difficult, but we first recommend that you try using the “virtual facilitator” to bring you and your partner back into conversation. If your partner is using inappropriate or abusive language, we also suggest you first point out to them that it's not allowed. If a second posting shows no change, you may report the abusive behavior by
sending us email.
Why haven’t I heard back from my partner yet?
It may take your partner some time to reply, so be patient. Although we ask that all participants try to respond within three days, we ask that you wait up to one week. If there is still no reply, please
email us. Note that if you think you may have missed a notification email from us, you can always check the status of your dialogue by clicking on “My Dialogues” then clicking on the last item on the left sidebar.
How can I be sure my partner got what I wrote?
You can check if your reply went through, and if your partner has answered, by clicking on “My Dialogues,” then clicking the last two replies on the left sidebar. This shows you what has happened up to the current time.
About Dialogue
What is dialogue?
Dialogue is any conversation that is motivated primarily by a commitment to learning and understanding, rather than "winning," persuading, convincing, compromising, finding solutions, or negotiating differences.
What makes dialogue different from regular conversation?
Dialogue has a different purpose than many kinds of regular conversation. It focuses more on building a sense of connection, relationship, and trust, rather than exchanging information or debating. It also employs different kinds of conversational structures and communication agreements that support the purposes outlined above.
Why is dialogue important?
Dialogue can help us to realize that those with whom we disagree care as deeply as we do, although they may have very different points of view. Their stories are based on their own lived experience, which often differs from ours. They may experience the same kinds of complexities, value conflicts, and passions that we do. We can choose how we interact with each other, in ways that divide us and demonize the other or in ways that assume a shared sense of some kind of community.
Are dialogue participants expected to change their minds?
No one is expected to change their mind as a result of dialogue. Participants often speak of a different and deepened appreciation of where their partner is coming from and difference in their relationship with their partner. Sometimes opening one's self to another person's truth is a way of discovering greater complexity in the issue. People often talk about changing hearts, rather than changing minds, as a result of dialogue.
How do you "win" a dialogue?
Since a dialogue is not a debate, there aren't "winners" as that term is commonly defined. Many participants have reported a sense of satisfaction with their ability to establish or reestablish a sense of connection and trust with others (even when their viewpoints have not changed). Other participants have reported a deeper understanding of their own viewpoints, as well as of the viewpoints of their partner(s).
But I'm right! Why would I want to have a dialogue with someone who disagrees with me?
You might not. However, the typical quality of political discourse in America is often a mile wide and an inch deep, comprised of slogans and code words. Dialogue offers an opportunity to learn more about those with whom we differ.
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What are the personal stories and experiences that have shaped their beliefs?
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What are the core values that shape their point of view?
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Do they see the issue as black and white or does it have any shades of gray?
Dialogue can be an opportunity to reflect on these questions for one's self and reconnect to a higher sense of purpose in one's own life.
Dialogue can also help us to reconnect with a sense that we are all Americans, even though we may have very different viewpoints on many issues.
What political party is RedBlueUS aligned with?
None. RedBlueUS is a non-partisan website whose aim is to allow Americans to learn more about each other, to experience those with different viewpoints as caring, concerned people, rather than as caricatures. We believe that America will be stronger if we find more effective ways of communicating our deeply held concerns and points of view.
Who takes part in a RedBlue dialogue?
Anyone and everyone—we hope to have a very broad and diverse group of Americans, in terms of political views, age, education, gender, race, geographic area, and many other differences.
How do I sign up?
Click here.