WHY DEPOLARWISE?
Our Vision
DepolarWise strives to aid and grow the movement of individuals and organizations working to secure a future where citizens of diverse backgrounds, identities, and causes can coexist and collaborate in a healthy democracy. We seek to educate and empower those new to this work and to connect them into a supportive community. We believe depolarization and bridge-building are essential to solving the complex problems of our time and to avoiding conflict entrepreneurism, dehumanization, and partisan violence. Through our website and social platforms, DepolarWise will spread this wisdom and promote the values of empathy, intellectual humility, civil dialogue, and our common humanity.
Our Founder
As if shaped by a genetic instinct against partisanism, Phelosha Collaros first registered as an independent voter and later memorized Shakespeare’s “A pox on both your houses” as a graduate of and now Vice President for the great books- and civil dialogue-centered St. John’s College. Remarkable since her mother, Nubia, never spoke about their Colombian family’s experience during La Violencia—the partisan civil war between Conservadores and Liberales—until recently, troubled by extreme polarization in the United States. Phelosha became obsessed with understanding the paths toward political violence versus depolarization. Phelosha’s TEDx Talk and DepolarWise.com were inspired by what she learned traveling to interview survivors, researching the past and present, and joining the President’s Circle of Braver Angels. New Mexico born and raised, she’s committed to red and blue living together peacefully.
Social Media
Instagram: @depolar.wise
Threads: @depolar.wise
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/depolarwise
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DepolarWise
Lessons from the Past
Drawing parallels between the liberal versus conservative civil war in Colombia and the current situation in the United States can provide insights into how deep political divides can affect a country. By learning from the Colombian experience, the U.S. can work towards mitigating polarization and preventing the escalation of conflict.
Choosing a Different Path
The underlying dynamics of polarization and conflict in Colombia and the United States underscore the importance of addressing ideological divides. Before the worst happens here, what can we do—tomorrow—to disrupt that path to everyday partisan violence?
