Avoid polarized arguments about the federal government shutdown by emphasizing historical context, processes and the shutdown's effect on people across the United States.
Many stories people shared with us dealt with difficult moments involving friends and neighbors. Factors that affect how they speak up include how well or little they know each other, how often they interact and how damaging they consider the offense to be.
For some people, speaking up in public feels more difficult than any other setting. For others, speaking up in public — to strangers who have no power or ties to one's home or work life — feels easier.