America is at a crossroads where politicians, news media, and social media fan the flames of toxic polarization that has led many Americans to question whether they can trust their fellow citizens.  Undivide Us strives to be a part of positive change.

A panel discussion follows the film – moderated by Naomi Riley.

Panelists:

Berivan Tamsen – Braver Angels, NY state coordinator

Don Scott – Braver Angels Westchester Alliance

Randy Freeman – Braver Angels, NY state coordinator

Don Scott is a longtime resident of Katonah, New York, with over 25 years of active involvement in local politics. He has served as both a school board president and a town councilman, demonstrating a deep commitment to his community. Concerned by the increasing political polarization that has strained relationships and fractured friendships in his town, Don joined Braver Angels five years ago to help bridge divides. He currently serves as the Red Co-Chair for the Westchester Braver Angels Alliance, working to foster respectful dialogue across the political spectrum.

Berivan Tamsen is a first-generation American who grew up having to navigate the conflicting ethnic identities of her Turkish mother and Kurdish father. From a young age, she struggled with how to handle polarizing conversations within her own family.  At Braver Angels, she found a community where her diverse background is celebrated, and she discovered frameworks for having constructive conversations across differences. As the New York State Blue Coordinator, she fosters dialogue across political and cultural divides. Berivan is deeply connected to her Middle Eastern heritage and advocates for solidarity within the MENA community – promoting constructive conversations on the Israel-Palestine conflict across ethnic and religious lines. She also supports fundraising initiatives aimed at building democratic capacity and improving the livelihood of Palestinians in the West Bank through her involvement with Jewish Voice for Peace.

Randy Freeman is a retired psychotherapist and couples therapist who has been using Braver Angels couples therapy concepts to depolarize America.  She has been a member of Braver Angels for 8 years as an organizer, workshop moderator, ambassador and New York State coordinator.  Randy and Berivan Tamsen have been working together to foster conversation regarding the Middle East conflict, including an upcoming workshop between Muslim women and Jewish women in the US.

Naomi Schaefer Riley is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focusing on issues regarding child welfare, as well as a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She also writes about parenting, higher education, religion, philanthropy and culture.   Ms. Riley’s writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the LA Times, and the Washington Post, among other publications.