Our yearning for reasoned civil disagreement
A Message from our Chairman
I recall our first American Public Square event entitled, “The Price of Incivility.” We hosted a dinner for 150 people at the Kansas City Public Library downtown. Since then, more than 100,000 people have either watched or attended one of our programs.
To me, it demonstrates our yearning for reasoned civil disagreement among informed guests. It reaffirms to me that we don’t have to settle for the current level of partisan invective. Rather, we need to demonstrate a better way, especially to those who are young, before what they see around them becomes, to their minds, an acceptable way for our society to operate.
Looking back - not just at 2022, but over the lifespan of American Public Square from its beginnings in 2014, I continue to marvel at the ground we’ve covered in an effort to realize our mission: To convene non-like-minded people to improve the tone and quality of civil discourse and find actionable paths toward common ground. Though the state of our nation remains polarized and work remains, I remain committed to our mission.
In 2022, we took on issues like reproductive rights and addressing gun violence in public spaces – topics about which we could no longer remain silent given the gravity of their import and the impact that they have on our society. Having done so, I feel gratified knowing that the approach American Public Square takes in addressing tough topics remains relevant as it quells tension, allows for voices to be heard from every corner, and encourages listening – not to change minds, but to drive understanding and acknowledgment of divergent points of view.
With that in mind, it was my privilege to convey the 2022 Founder’s Civility Award on my dear friend, Leo Morton. The award was originally created to recognize the accomplishments of remarkable leaders – leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to bringing together our diverse community to engage in civil, fact-based dialogue. It was fitting that Leo should be honored – truly, if not for Leo assuring us a place in the community, American Public Square would not exist today. As COO of DeBruce Companies and active community voice in a vast array of capacities, Leo is still propping up Kansas City and everyone in our region and demonstrating through his actions the ideals of American Public Square by reminding us of the value of civility.
There is more to do. For that, I will continue to call on you, our Members, Sponsors, Partners, and Staff – our community – to remain ardent supporters of the work that American Public Square does to curb the ideological divisions of our nation. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and for believing that together, we can, indeed, improve the tone and quality of civil discourse while finding actionable paths toward common ground.
Amb. Allan Katz (ret.)
