Events

Featured Event

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

On MLK Day, over 1,200 community members joined us in reflecting on our racial identities, prejudices, and discriminatory experiences. Thank you to Grace Doerfler for covering our story and our partners, The City of East Palo Alto, The City of Palo Alto, and The Oshman Family JCC.

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Monday, January 16th 2023 @ 12:30pm

15

Jan

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Hundreds of mid-peninsula families gathered for a community-wide day of service to honor the life and legacy of Dr. MLK, Jr. In partnership with the Palo Alto Youth Council, Let’s Talk Unite organized a workshop in which participants reflected on and anonymously shared their racial identities, prejudices, and discriminatory experiences.

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1:00-3:00pm

17

May

The Neuropsychology of Polarization

The Let’s Talk Unite team, in partnership with faculty and the Neuropsychology Club at The Nueva School, organized a Wednesday of Wonder series titled “Pondering Polarization.” In this era of unprecedented tribalism, it is crucial to cultivate educational opportunities that deepen our comprehension of the world. The WoW series aims to investigate two aspects of polarization: economics and neuropsychology.

The second workshop, “The Neuropsychology of Polarization,” explores how harmful rhetoric, closely linked to our political convictions and emotions, can reinforce existing schemas and amplify affective polarization. This workshop analyzes the psychological impact of social media and cultural norms on our political arena. Participants will engage in critical questions, such as the boundary between stereotypes and facts, and explore methods to reprogram their thinking patterns to promote greater acceptance and compassion.

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1:55-3:10pm

10

May

The Polarization of Corporate America

The Let’s Talk Unite team, in partnership with faculty and the Neuropsychology Club at The Nueva School, has organized a Wednesday of Wonder series titled “Pondering Polarization.” In this era of unprecedented tribalism, it is crucial to cultivate educational opportunities that deepen our comprehension of the world. The WoW series aims to investigate two aspects of polarization: economics and neuropsychology.

The first workshop of the series, entitled “The Polarization of Corporate America,” delves into how affective polarization can significantly impact economic policies, market stability, and investor confidence, leading to economic instability. This workshop examines the role of polarization in shaping economic expectations and behaviors and encourages participants to contemplate changes to our political and economic system.

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8:55-11:30am

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28

April

Young Minds Celebrated

Accompanied by other esteemed youth, Let’s Talk Unite’s President drew a crowd at Palo Alto Councilwoman Julie Lythcott-Haims’ Young Minds Celebrated event, as she explored the complexities of affective polarization within the community and encouraged attendees to strive towards a more civil public dialogue. Co-sponsored by Coupa Café, Youth Community Service, Allcove, Creatrix, and the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the event provided a platform for community members to engage in political discourse and empower the next generation.

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5:30pm-7:30pm

26

March

The Nueva School Humanities Fair

Nueva students from 6th to 12th grade and their families participated in a hands-on workshop encouraging a culture of political engagement and empathy at The Nueva School and beyond. Led by LTU’s President, Olivia Chiang, “Red Flag” explored affective polarization and techniques to engage respectfully in political dialogue. Through a role-play simulation, participants learned how to identify logical fallacies, speak persuasively, and compromise.

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12:00pm-4:00pm

25

March

TEDx “Politics of the People” Conference

The divide between Democrats and Republicans extends far beyond the political sphere. Our animosity, distrust, and hostility towards one another infect sociopolitical life. For one, Thanksgiving got 50 minutes shorter after the 2016 election. Partisans also shop separately—Republicans prefer Granger and Pottery Barn while Democrats favor Forever 21 and Sephora. But within politics, distressingly, our hostility is causing policy paralysis. This inability to legislate or reform is a sign, demanding a change in our political discourse. This Spring, LTU’s President Olivia Chiang spoke at the TEDxYouth@TheNuevaSchool Conference regarding affective polarization within the United States in an effort to bring some clarity to this complex world and turn us toward a brighter future.

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10:00am-2:00pm

16

January

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

On MLK Jr. Day, over 1,200 community members joined Let’s Talk Unite in reflecting on our racial identities, prejudices, and discriminatory experiences. Participants responded to prompts concerning racism within Palo Alto institutions and their personal struggles with their racial identity. Thank you to Grace Doerfler for covering our story and our partners, The City of East Palo Alto, The City of Palo Alto, and The Oshman Family JCC.

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12:30pm-5:00pm

Frequently Asked

What is Let's Talk Unite?

Let’s Talk Unite is a youth-founded, youth-led movement dedicated to reducing political polarization through stimulating collaborative dialogue. We aim to identify, acknowledge, and address personal biases to reduce misinformation, encourage respectful discourse, and thereby strengthen our community.

How can I partner with Let's Talk Unite?

Let’s Talk Unite offers various partnership opportunities for youth, adults, and organizations.

Individuals can volunteer their time and skills for specific projects or apply to join the Let’s Talk Unite team. More information about open positions can be found on the “About Us” page and current initiatives are listed on the “Events” page. Organizations can sponsor our initiatives to assist with publicity and increase our engagement. Lastly, if there is a project that aligns with Let’s Talk Unite’s mission and vision, please consider collaborating with us.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to partnering with you soon.

Can I propose an event for Let's Talk Unite to organize?

Absolutely! Let’s Talk Unite is open to all suggestions on how we can cultivate a more respectful and collaborative political environment, as well as enhance the youth’s interest in politics. To get in touch with the Let’s Talk Unite team, you can send an email to letstalkunite@gmail.com or call (650) 382-2509‬. You can expect to receive a response within 1-5 business days.

Why should I donate to Let's Talk Unite?

Your donation will fund our nonprofit’s initiatives, ultimately contributing towards creating a more unified society. By investing in the education and empowerment of young people, you will be supporting the next generation of leaders who are committed to building a better future for all.

Are gifts tax deductable?

As a 501(c)(3) charity, donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of US law. Our federal tax ID number is 87-2864487.

Is there a minimum donation?

You can donate as little as $1 and receive the same level of transparency typically afforded to million-dollar donors. Every donation holds significant value for our nonprofit organization and is greatly appreciated by the Let’s Talk Unite team.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my donation?

Contact the Let’s Talk Unite team through our email letstalkunite@gmail.com or phone number (650) 382-2509‬. You can expect to receive a response within 1-5 business days. Thank you for your donation!

The LTU Team

Let’s Talk Unite is a movement dedicated to reducing political polarization through stimulating collaborative dialogue and addressing our personal biases.

We aim to promote a culture of awareness and accountability by confronting our personal biases and fostering civil dialogue. Through community events and local workshops, we strive to raise awareness about polarization’s ramifications and transform the way we approach political discourse.

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