Understanding differences

For the University of Delaware's first-year students - most of whom are experiencing their first presidential election as eligible voters while also navigating diverse perspectives and opinions - Mónica Guzmán's book could not have come at a better time.

Guzmán, author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations In Dangerously Divided Times, visited UD's Mitchell Hall virtually in September as a part of this year's Common Reader Program. The audience included many first-year students and other members of the campus community. She engaged in a Q&A session moderated by Timothy Shaffer, Stavros Niarchos Foundation chair of civil discourse in UD's Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.

She said there were two reasons why she wrote the book: the misunderstanding that she had of people early in her journalism career and repeated attempts to get her conservative parents, who are Mexican immigrants who voted twice for Donald Trump, to understand her liberal views

"I just had a sense that there were so many tools for us to understand each other," said Guzmán. "I don't think the tools are as difficult as we've made them to be. I figured I'd go find them and try to make them work."

Freshmen Halley Cottrell, majoring in psychology, and Grace Davis, majoring in pre-veterinary medicine, both agreed that the book gave them the tools they needed to talk about political issues.

"I know a lot of people whose political opinions differ from mine, and we usually don't talk about those topics," said Cottrell. "We've been able to have civil conversations that end with us being able to understand each other."

Davis said she learned how to find a balance in having her own opinion without trying to force it on others. It has also helped her in cross-generational conversations.

"My grandmother is conservative, but I was raised by liberals," said Davis. "I've learned that instead of arguing with her, it helps to be more understanding of her perspective. We've had less arguing and more conversations that have led to us finding common ground."

Evan Croy, a freshman majoring in environmental science, asked for Guzmán's opinion on how to limit bias as we consume the news.

"How we consume the news very much influences how we're going to form our opinions," she said. "If you could take some agency over how you want to form your opinions - and if you want the most independence on how you form your opinion - then make it a point of seeing the original content first before reading or listening to anyone else's analysis."

When asked about how to navigate difficult conversations, Guzmán encouraged students to lead with curiosity.

"When you're communicating with people who hold differing views, being curious will give you the courage to ask the uncomfortable questions that will lead to you learning more about their perspective," said Guzmán.

Guzmán said that she hopes students use their college experience to practice becoming comfortable with taking a stance and having healthy debates.

"Our wisdom comes from knowing how to relate to each other," Guzman said. "Practicing disagreements. Practicing debates. Practicing having to sit there and contend with someone who's disagreeing with you openly and what are you going to do? Allow this campus to train you and be your safe space to learn from each other."

Essay contest winners

Each year, first-year students submit essays in response to the selected book, said Meghan Biery, the program manager for the First-Year Seminar Program and the Common Reader Program.

"This year we received over 230 essays," she said. "Students reflected on how their perspectives about the polarization of politics in the United States have changed after the reading of this book. They emphasized the importance of confronting their own biases and assumptions in order to push past awkward moments into deeper conversations about other greater perspectives."

Eight students were awarded prizes in the 2024 Common Reader Essay Contest in response to Guzmán's book. The winners are:

• 1st Place: Jessica Kiehl (Stevens, PA, meteorology)
• 2nd Place: Felicia Karosi (Newark, DE, honors finance)
• 3rd Place: Shannon Dawson (Rockaway, NJ, honors marketing)
• 4th Place: Melanie Hudson (Newark, DE, psychology education)

The honorable mentions are:

• Dhruv Patel (Newark, DE, honors finance)
• Grace Davis (Dover, DE, pre-veterinary medicine)
• Haley Federici (Williamstown, NJ, Wildlife ecology & conservation)
• Emily Carroll (Carlisle, PA, environmental studies)

About First Year Seminar Program

The First Year Seminar Program provides UD first-year students the opportunity to think critically and develop social skills as they transition to campus life. The program promotes academic excellence and advances students' academic success by providing learning opportunities that enhance students' educational experiences.

Other programs that support undergraduate students include the McNair Scholars Program, Office of Academic Enrichment, Student Support Services Program and the University Studies Program.

Previous Common Readers include Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land, While the Earth Sleeps by Ahmed M. Badr and Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert.

For more information, please visit: commonreader.fye.udel.edu.