One MSU student group is fostering conversations about hot-topic issues with people across the political aisle to create empathy for the other side. 

Liam Connor, president and founder of MSU Middle Ground, started the group during the 2024 presidential election. Connor was in a friend group that was a mix of democrats and conservatives. Both groups were divided and discussed their beliefs with others who shared their views. Connor saw this political polarization across campus, but didn’t expect it to reach his friends.

“To see it in my own friend group is disheartening,” Connor said, adding that he was taking a political science class that discussed echo chambers, where he learned that his generation was becoming more polarized online.

“I tried to find a space on campus where this existed, and I came up short, so I decided to create my own one where anyone can just come together,” he said.

Connor wanted to create a conversational space to talk about politics and world issues, without the pressure of people-pleasing. The group's meetings are held at Bessey Hall. He said friendships have been created out of the group, and he even made friends with people he disagreed with.

Idia Obayagbona, the secretary of MSU Middle Ground, said, “I think it’s really important to acknowledge the different perspectives within the country. In this era of extreme political polarization, it’s important to have a place where you can come together and still be civil.”

Connor said, “The goal isn’t to change each other’s minds, but to get an understanding and maybe find some middle ground where, okay, we might not agree on the solution, but we do agree on what we want to see compared to what needs to be changed."

The group “creates a human aspect that the people that you may disagree with politically are still human beings,” he said. “They deserve the exact same respect as people on your side, and we should be able to talk to them and listen to them.”

Connor is the lead mediator, and the group’s constitution lays out acceptable behavior, such as no interrupting and no hurtful language. If anyone breaks the rule, he asks them to leave or take a break. Luckily, everyone has acted in accordance with the rules. Even so, the members are the driving force behind the conversations, Connor said. 

Shayna Mouradian, an active member of MSU Middle Ground, heard about the club through her friends who share similar ideas to hers.