Chew on This: What Divides Us?

Sometimes it feels as if we’re coming apart at the seams. The conclusion drawn from the near-constant polling, media commentary and academic analysis of the last few years is that Americans are polarized—divided along geographic lines or by race, by generation or by socio-economic status.

Historians Kevin Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer say it all goes back to 1974, when Watergate, the end of the Vietnam War and anti-busing riots were among the many crises that rocked America. Journalist Bill Bishop, working from reams of sociological and political science data, says we started to sort ourselves into camps in 1965—between June and October, to be exact. Others go back to the 1920 census, the first to show that the majority of Americans lived in cities and towns, rather than rural areas.

So what’s true? Are we more divided than ever before? If so, why is that? What, exactly, divides us? We’ll dig into these and similar questions on Tuesday, April 23 during a special INseparable-themed Chew On This. Sign up for one of 6 locations around the state, where you’ll share a meal and civil yet fun in-depth conversation with other curious Hoosiers. Each table will be led by an expert facilitator, someone who brings special insight into why we do or don’t manage to get along with one another. Your ticket price includes meal and an unforgettably rich experience.

• Dr. Terri Jett, professor of political science, Butler University
  (Ambrosia | Indianapolis)
• Tim Swarens, journalist
  (Rooster’s Kitchen | Indianapolis)
• Rima Shahid, executive director of Women4Change Indiana 
  (divvy | Carmel)
• Tory Flynn, director of communications, Hillenbrand
  (The Sherman | Batesville)
• Micah Towery, writer and scholar
  (Tapastrie | South Bend)
• John Christensen, Fort Wayne magazine
  (Próximo | Fort Wayne)
• Roger Baylor, blogger
  (Pints & Union | New Albany) (Host Organization | ArtSeed)