RALEIGH, N.C. – Amid the twists and turns of this year’s presidential campaign season, the political divide continues to grow in the United States. 

According to a study published in Statista, the current level of polarization has reached unprecedented levels in the U.S., especially between Democrats and Republicans. 

It’s a big reason why two professors at North Carolina State University created an event called Dining With Democracy to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. 

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. is experiencing unprecedented levels of polarization, especially between Democrats and Republicans, according to Statista

  • Two professors at N.C. State University developed Dining with Democracy to enable people to connect and discuss issues impacting Americans 

  • The next Dining with Democracy event is scheduled for Sept. 14 

Dining with Democracy is an initiative created by education professors Christy Byrd and Paula McAvoy. 

McAvoy says a masters student inspired the idea, after she and a colleague created a similar event with middle schoolers and parents to talk about political issues. 

“Dr. Byrd and I are both interested in political discussion, so we expanded this idea to create a public event on campus,” McAvoy said. 

The duo have now facilitated a handful of Dining with Democracy events, with the most recent one in February being packed with participants. 

“It was really exciting to have so many people from different backgrounds," Byrd said. "So we invite pre-service teachers, in-service teachers and community members. And so at some of the events, we've had middle school students coming, and talking with people who are in their 50s and 60s."

"It's really exciting to have so many people who want to talk about politics and these difficult issues,” she said.

Both Byrd and McAvoy hope that this fall's event on Sept. 14 will continue to promote meaningful conversations and bridge divides, even as political tensions escalate. 

"When people are face to face with their neighbor and community member and fellow students, they actually listen to one another, they learn from each other, and they leave with a deeper understanding of the issues under discussion,” McAvoy said. 

As North Carolina heads into a pivotal election season, this initiative stands as a hopeful example of how structured dialogue can make a difference in a divided society.

Click here to register for their event.