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Our Mission.
BridgeUSA is a multipartisan student movement that champions viewpoint diversity, responsible discourse, and a solution-oriented political culture. We are developing a generation of leaders that value empathy and constructive engagement because our generation will bear the cost of polarization and tribalism for years to come.
We believe that polarization is damaging our country and causing young people to either disengage from democracy or radically engage by fitting a partisan mold. Democracy is in danger if the next generation is disengaged and polarized because young people are the future of our country.
The purpose of BridgeUSA is to build a Bridge community—one in which students from across the ideological spectrum can engage as a group working together to understand—to bridge—the various perspectives behind the important political and social issues of our time.
We rise above party. We do not force unity or compromise. We believe in the Bridge Mindset- viewpoint diversity, constructive engagement, and a solution-oriented political culture.
Our Team.
Kristen Xiao
President
Wyatt Nako
Vice President
Shivali Vora
Secretary
Sharona Nagamuthu
Director of External Outreach
Judy Liu
Director of Community
Jenny Yan
Director of Marketing
Ally Chung
Director of Events
Sharon Huang
Director of Financing
Anthony Duan
Director of Moderations
Sam Li
Founder and Senior Advisor
Eri Hayakawa
Senior Advisor
Erica Kim
Senior Advisor
Norms of Discussion.
Listen to listen, rather than listen to respond.
Instead of planning on how to respond or thinking about what to say next, we should focus our thinking on listening to and understanding the ideas of others before formulating a response.
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Address the statement,
not the person.
When responding to statements, arguments, and comments, we address what was said, not the person who said it. Remember that the discussion is about ideas--not the worth, morality, or goodness of the people who hold the ideas, including those ideas that offend or oppose one’s own beliefs or those of others.
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Try not to interrupt or have side conversations.
We are all here with the best intentions. We want to genuinely engage with others and learn from one another. By not interrupting and talking on the side, we ensure that all voices are heard and respected.
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Participants represent only themselves and are not representatives of social groups.
Though we may reflect the views in our respective communities or groups, within the dialogue, no one is expected to represent organizations or groups. Experiences that stem from identity, not just arguments that stem from knowledge, are welcome in discussion.
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