Listen to America and Revive Civility Tour Rolls into Oxford

There are many ongoing conversations about what it means to be American.  This Friday, the residents of Oxford, MS will share their hopes and dreams for Oxford, as well as their definition of an American identity through the “Listen To America” road tour.
“This is an opportunity to help showcase what we share as Americans, rather than what divides us. We are stronger when we stand together and we are stronger when we are civil and respectful to one another,” said Mayor Robyn Tannehill. “We need to challenge ourselves to really listen to other viewpoints and work together to understand all perspectives. Everyone wants and deserves to be heard, respected, and valued.”
The tour, fueled by a partnership between the National Institute for Civil Discourse (established after the tragic Tucson shooting that killed six people and wounded 13 others including former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords) and Huffington Post, is an effort to interview and listen to people across the country. It will build upon the June 2017 US Conference of Mayors call to have all Mayors “United to Revive Civility and Respect.” Community members in 25 diverse cities will have the chance to add their voices and hopes to a national movement to revive civility and respect in public discourse.
Mayor Tannehill invites all members of the Oxford community to share their hopes and dreams, as well as become visible ambassadors of civility, listening respectfully to people who have different views, support efforts to work together across ideological and political lines, and work to rebuild civic trust through civil discourse.
“When we work collectively to tackle the big issues that face our communities, we have the power to achieve real change, and I’m joining other Mayors around the country who are working to bring civility back to our communities.”
“Civility is not about being passive. It is an affirmative act and takes discipline,” said Mayor Tannehill. “In our community, we are working diligently to improve the tenor of our politics and I’m proud to be working with others to spread civility nationwide. We owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, and our children to fix the crisis in front of us.”
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: “Step aboard the bus and tell your story – what matters most to you and what being American means today”.
Listen to America tour bus located in front of City Hall
5:30 p.m.: Interview: “What Makes Oxford Work: A Sit-Down with Mayor Robyn Tannehill”
Curtis Wilkie, journalist and author, talks with Mayor Tannehill about progress, positive change and roadblocks to overcome at Off Square Books.

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Courtesty of Cindy Semmes, Executive Assistant To The Mayor