Democracy and Dinner

PoliTalks event draws a packed crowd to the table, looks to future.

Washington College's bi-partisan student club, PoliTalks, hosted a successful community dinner and discussion event, "Disagreement is Democratic: Inviting Everyone to the Table," on April 24, featuring the Honorable Heather Mizeur. The event, the second with Mizeur, was timed close to the completion of the first 100 days of the new Trump presidency and drew approximately 80 attendees, 48 of whom were community members who joined students and faculty at the table. The evening was lauded by participants for fostering an engaging dialogue on the importance of political discourse in a democracy.    

Mizeur, a former state delegate, candidate for Congress, and CEO/Founder of WeAreOne Alliance, shared her experiences and insights on navigating political divides and the enduring relevance of bipartisanship. Attendees participated in facilitated "table topics" discussions over a shared meal, focusing on themes such as staying true to personal values amidst political chaos and the influence of local initiatives on national policy.    

PoliTalks, founded on the principle of providing a safe and respectful forum for political education and conversation, has made significant strides in its year and a half of existence. Co-founder Stephen Hook ‘25 emphasized the club's commitment to fostering civil discourse and its aim to counteract national polarization by promoting understanding and common ground.    

For Hook and co-founder Zach Affeldt ‘25, the aim of the evening was to explore a more courageous path, one that sees disagreement not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth, connection, and the revival of democratic values. Mizeur's presence was particularly significant.  

"Few are as qualified or as committed to instilling productive dialogue within our community as Heather Mizeur,” said Affeldt. Her message, as he emphasized, centered on the idea that "disagreement, when rooted in respect and guided by shared values, can actually strengthen our democracy rather than weaken it."    

As the club’s founders prepare to graduate, PoliTalks announced its new leadership team. Charlotte Schurman ‘27 and Grace Walsh '27 will serve as co-presidents, Calynn Nelson '28 as treasurer, Grace Pitman '28 as outreach & media chair, and Joe Atkins '28 as member at-large. The outgoing leadership expressed confidence in the new team's ability to continue and expand the club's impact. 

"We founded PoliTalks on the belief that students deserve a safe and respectful forum for political education and conversation," Hook reflected, highlighting the club's impressive journey and bright future.  

The event was supported by the Washington College Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience and The Holstein Program in Ethics, underscoring the College's commitment to fostering civic engagement and thoughtful dialogue. 

- Dominique Ellis Falcon