No doubt, you’ve heard the derogatory terms flailed by both sides of the political aisle, as if they were members of an opposing team, instead of a united nation. The stony silence at family gatherings, where guests would rather throw plates than break bread, if they even meet at all. And, where former friends only talk at each other, instead of to each other, or no longer speak, severing all personal ties.

Meanwhile, the political rancor seems to only grow deeper, widening more metaphorically than the Continental Divide. What’s a nation to do when debate – while healthy in good measure – veers off into the deranged, or as evidenced more recently, by the mounting acts of violence, danger zone.

While times have changed, thankfully, some of the nation’s bedrock has remained the same. Civility, tempered by one’s ethics, helping douse the inflammatory rhetoric, can be a salve to finding common ground, resulting in the greater good for all.

This is exactly the premise of Omaha’s Free Speech Society, according to Dr. Rick Galusha, co-founder and one of the principal leaders of this grassroots organization.

The Free Speech Society was created in 2016 to facilitate healthy discussion regarding civic and political issues, he said.

“It’s an in-person, non-partisan forum guided by principles of non-confrontational debate, with a focus on listening and discerning – valuing the input of all,” according to their mantra.

Through monthly and special events, the forum educates the public, helping them to become more informed and engaged citizens.

Free and open to the public, the organization has featured hundreds of speakers who provide their insight and expertise on political issues facing the world at large, the nation, the cities, and, on the local front, the state.

Since its inception, its forum has grown to nearly 1,000 online members, ranging from politicians to journalists, educators, community leaders, and engaged citizens interested in preserving democratic values and quality of life, he said.

And, Galusha, long-time political and community activist, not to mention host of the award-winning, internationally recognized Pacific Street Blues radio program, knows a thing or two about civil discourse, including as founder of the Old Market Business Association and Earth Day Omaha, among numerous other accolades and endeavors.

Since 2009, Galusha has been a member of the Bellevue University faculty. A professor, he has taught political science and was program director for their civics courses for more than 13 years.

In 2023, he received the Civic Catalyst Award from Civic Nebraska, highlighting the work of everyday people acting to build a more modern and robust democracy.

Called a “stalwart champion of decent discourse,” Galusha was selected for his “relentless passion for civic engagement, civil rights and citizenship,” the organization said.

Not one to rest on his laurels, he’s currently teaching numerous continuing education civics courses for Metro Community College, including “The Soundtrack of America – U.S. History Through Music and The USA in 2026 – 250 Years of Democracy.”

He’s also working on several other community-wide efforts to broaden the base of public understanding for the importance of citizen-led democracy and the individual’s role, including the free, non-partisan, “Democracy, It Ain’t No Picnic, A Traditional Independence Day Celebration” slated for July 12 at the Gene Leahy Mall.

The event will feature Grammy Winner Dom Flemons and Brian Fallows, as well as communal dancing, speeches, and the Union Omaha players. Participants are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and lawn chairs, he said.

Much like the Founding Fathers before them, the Free Speech Society was created to forge a peaceful, demographic process for all, free of retribution and tyrannical rule.

Here is a recap, in his words, of their endeavors.

• What led to its formation:

Omaha’s Free Speech Society was founded nearly 10 years ago. We’re based on an idea by sociologist Robert Putnam. In his book, “Bowling Alone,” Putnam noted that Americans were increasingly dropping out of group activities.

As they withdrew from civic engagement, the author noticed that trust went down, followed by a reduction in social capital. Social capital is the “grease” (patience, understanding, trust) that smooths social interaction – especially along interracial, socioeconomic, religious, and political lines. As Americans withdrew, society became more coarse and less tolerant of others.

• What has spurred the intolerance:

This movement of withdrawal, along with COVID and social media, has led Americans to become highly distrustful and susceptible to bad ideas, conspiracy theories, and poor behavior. Obviously, this makes agreement, compromise, and association more difficult.

In the early 1800s, the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that what made America special was our willingness to form associations and achieve great things. Yet today, every time we turn on the news, that’s no longer the case. So, The Free Speech Society was formed to get people in a room and talking – often about how we govern ourselves. You don’t really think about it too much, but how we govern ourselves reflects our aspirational values, our ideals, and what we really appreciate.

For example, majority groups, including Asians, Europeans, and Hispanics, prize their ancestry, and everyone wants recognition for their group’s positive contributions to American society, yet readily denigrate today’s immigrants – even though we all know immigration is an integral part of the American experience and necessary for a healthy and vibrant economy. It’s kind of kooky since immigration is so obviously necessary.

• Why is this course of action beneficial:

To return to Putnam, when you engage with people who don’t look, think, worship, or vote like you, you realize they’re often not really a threat. Often but not always, you begin to trust them and afford them the benefit of the doubt through the development of social capital. It’s an obvious thing once you see it, but, sadly, there are those in the media, political partisans, and selfishness that thrive when trust goes down. And the truth is, no one really wins when they’re isolated, afraid, and untrusting.

• Why would you encourage people to attend:

When we started, about 30 of us met at Le Peep. Today, we have over 900 online members and usually draw 80 attendees to the monthly meetings. We gather as a group on the third Saturday of every month to hear a presentation, discuss it: to hear and be heard. It’s a communal thing. Being a respected part of a community lends dignity to how we live our lives. Personally, I think we’d gotten so wrapped up in individualism and having it our way all the time that community and shared values, along with compromise, took on negative connotations.

• How do you keep the forum civil:

An interesting aspect of groups, especially groups engaged in political issues at some level, is that the moment you form a “we-group,” a group centered on a shared value or interest, you automatically exclude others into “they-groups.” Segregation is fundamental among all humans – there’s no way around it. So, we need to be mindful.

The Free Speech Society is somewhat unique in that we want everyone from across the political and demographic spectrum to show up and participate. But we’ve noticed, to no one’s surprise, that those in the middle and on the left of the political aisle want to share their thoughts, while those on the right are less willing to dive into public discourse.

Well, to be “liberal” is, by definition, someone who is open to new experiences, while conservatives are, by definition, more reserved or less likely to venture into unknown territory. Over time, conservative-leaning members understand the culture of The Free Speech Society and share their thoughts. Thankfully, there haven’t been any conflicts at the public meeting.

• How has the forum expanded its reach:

Recently, the Free Speech Society has begun to explore evolving in new ways. We’re actively developing a cooperative relationship with Film Streams – which is exciting. Movies can deliver a lot of information in a comfortable medium, which stimulates folks into discussions.

We are also working with Metro Community College on several activities, which seem to be gaining interest, including Dinner & Democracy, and a serial civic offering. People are really hungry to understand our founding principles, historically shared values, and cultural roots.

In May of this year, we took the first steps in trying to form an East Omaha Chapter of Free Speech Society, which, ideally, will be comprised of a much wider demographic mix.

• How are guest speakers selected:

In an election year like this, we tend to invite office-seeking candidates to speak. Attendees love this. Congressman Don Bacon is a regular, and you can tell he really enjoys the give and take of public engagement. I know there are those who aren’t fans of Don’s, but he is so darn likeable, and even when we disagree, he’s comfortable, which makes everyone else comfortable. It is ideal.

We recently hosted a Mayoral Debate. The room was packed and even guests understood very quickly that mutual respect was expected. The Free Speech members are pretty savvy, and I think they appreciate what a unique culture they have formed. It really is inspiring when you reflect on it.

• How did good intentions go so wrong:

Not to get on my soapbox, but here goes. In my estimation, my generation, the Boomers, has not done a good job. We’re failing to pass off a healthy and vibrant future to our progeny. Too many issues have been kicked down the road, including a 40 trillion dollar debt, unchecked global warming, and a resurgence of exclusion and racism.

Perhaps naively, I bought into the Age of Aquarius idealism, and while some things have improved, such as greater recognition of rights for women, gays, and the advancement of technology, the problems and misplaced values in society are a mirrored reflection of us.

People often look for the silver bullet solution to societal problems. I get it, but the problem is in the mirror. We have a values-based problem, exacerbated by an unwillingness to do what needs to be done if it’s uncomfortable or demands sacrifice. We ain’t the Greatest Generation by a long shot, LOL.

It’s little wonder that young people today look at our dumpster fire of unsolved problems facing America and reject our values, including capitalism and representative democracy. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we probably want to ask ourselves privately, “Is this really the best I can do?”

• Why is it important to engage:

More than 40 years ago, Hannah Arendt (a German-American historian/philosopher) argued that evil exists because of our collective decision not to think. And we can see where that’s gotten us?

My daughter recently asked me to watch a Marxist Canadian speaker, who suggested that corporations are to blame, and that there’s little individuals can do. I haven’t told Emma yet, but that’s exactly wrong. Yes, corporations can and must do better, but every day, the summative actions of individuals matter greatly.

From what we discuss, what we consume, how we spend our money, and by voting with our feet, we get to define the future. And I (obviously) believe we can do a lot better.

Perhaps, upon reflection, we can recommit ourselves by aspiring to high ideals, acting on reflective self-judgment, and pursuing values that provide others with a brighter, more fulfilling future for everyone.

Jefferson’s vision, or at least the way we interpret his words today, tells us that everyone deserves the opportunity to leverage their rights, to be a respected member of society, and to have their dignity recognized and respected. Yeah, those things got lost in the 1970s and 80s, but perhaps it’s time to dig ‘em up and take ‘em out for a spin.

The Free Speech Society meets on the third Saturday of every month at the Centris Federal Credit Union, 13120 Pierce St. For more information, visit: https://freespeech.events