Produced in 2020, in a time of immense division, PURPLE tells the story of everyday Americans with opposing viewpoints confronting their disagreements head-on and discovering the humanity and concerns that lie behind each other’s positions. Filmed in rural Wisconsin and Iowa – in a swing region that spans two bordering swing states – PURPLE captures six people investigating their divergent views on equity, work ethics, and the social safety net. Created by political mediation organization Resetting the Table in partnership with Emmy award-winning Transient Pictures, PURPLE provides viewers of all stripes – liberal, conservative, and independent; rural and urban; religious and secular – with a vision for what a healthy public debate on fault-line issues might look like.

Peacemakers believes primary school years are an opportune time to equip children with the basics of the skills and attitudes that underlie peace– benefiting the children in their current relationships and contributing to a peaceful culture in the school – as well as laying the groundwork for how they respond to situations on a broader community level in the future. Lets make learning for peace the norm for all children.

PBS Correspondent Judy Valente reports on Conflict Resolution Circles – practices rooted in Quaker, Mennonite and North American Indian spirituality, and how two Kansas schools use the ’circle’ method to end the revolving door of suspension and expulsion of students. Teachers say they hope the students will take the peace making skills they learn at school out into their communities.

The Louisville, Kentucky-based Peace Education Program strengthens communities and schools by training youth and adults to build and sustain positive relationships.
Their new Building Blocks video series includes a 4-part presentation from Durk “Mr. D” Davidson, champion of the navigators program, intended for middle and high school age youth. The topics are as follows:

1. #1 Brainstorming Conflicts and Conflict Styles
2. #2 Anger Triggers and Anger Cues
3. #3 Feelings on the Conflict Escalator
4. #4 Strategies for Calming Down

Also available is a similar 4-part series from Ms. Carrie Christensen, coordinator of programming, intended for elementary and middle school age youth. The full series is available here: Peace Ed’s Video Lessons

In lieu of a more punitive approach, students use restorative practices to resolve conflicts and reflect on their behaviors. Conflict resolution is a key aspect of Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School’s approach to infractions that previously might have merited in-school suspension. In the school’s restorative circles, counselors guide students to recognize the impact of their behavior on their peers and the school as a whole.