Tomorrow, families across America will gather to break bread. From Connecticut to Charlotte to Colorado to Chicago, Thursday represents a rare moment of calm in our oft-overwhelming nation.

This year’s news cycle has been exhausting – a never ending cycle of New York Times pop-up alerts and breaking CNN headlines. In the past twelve months, our nation has watched the proliferation of #metoo and mourned the violence of Parkland. We witnessed a historic meeting between the United States and North Korea and said goodbye to Senator John McCain.

In an era defined more powerfully by controversy than agreement, many consider the Thanksgiving table a place to set differences aside. This reasoning encourages Americans to forget political ideology and enjoy the company of family, dismissing beliefs and biases in favor of potatoes and pumpkin pie.

The broad difference in age – at times, race and religion – and lived experience regularly represented at Thanksgiving dinners in households from Maine to Maricopa County all but guarantees that political conversation will lead to disagreement. Contention begets confrontation and confrontation begets conflict, all but guaranteeing that your Thursday meal won’t survive long enough to serve apple pie.

While thoroughly in favor of all flavors of pie, “The Weekly” is thoroughly opposed to avoiding Thanksgiving’s inherent difficulties. Thanksgiving is a time to tackle uncomfortable conversations rather than avoiding them altogether.

As journalists, our Editorial Board stands firm behind the conviction that the best way to resolve speech is with more speech. One gains nothing from ignoring those with whom they disagree.

More than ever before, Americans are avoiding dissent.

A 2015 study from James G. Gimpel of the University of Maryland, College Park and Iris Hui of Stanford University asserts that political party affiliation can change the desirability of a neighborhood by upwards of 20 percent.

2014 survey data from Pew Research Center states that 27% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans see the other party as “a threat to the nation’s well being.” After conducting an overview of the 113th Congress, researchers at the University of Georgia wrote that “polarization is now at a post-Reconstruction high in the House and Senate.”

We face an unprecedentedly divided America, one which will almost certainly be represented at your Thanksgiving table. Choosing to avoid difficult discussions with loved ones is to be wilfully negligent, contributing to our national echo chamber.

When the Bears play the Lions, don’t be afraid to mention Colin Kaepernick. If the recent midterms elections come up during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, don’t steer conversation away. Families can engage in civil discourse without tarnishing meals.

This Thanksgiving, do not cower in the face of discomfort. Don’t politely dismiss your grandfather if he says something with which you disagree and don’t excuse yourself to use the restroom should your aunt begins preaching her less-than-typical views.

Lean in. Recognize that you can challenge those with whom you disagree without being disrespectful or “ruining dinner.”

This Thursday, “The Weekly” encourages you to approach your family gatherings with a mind toward discourse. Instead of ignoring or avoiding those with whom you disagree, engage. Don’t force political conversation, but don’t run away from it either.

Happy Thanksgiving.