Our campus had been split for months. Protests on both sides, no real conversation. It was draining.

Then a professor offered to host a dialogue circle — not a debate, just space to listen. We showed up unsure. Angry, even. But the format was different. You weren’t allowed to interrupt. You had to reflect before responding.

I heard stories I didn’t expect. Some challenged me. Some softened me. We didn’t all agree at the end — but we walked away with less fear, more understanding.

Sometimes peace starts with just listening.