Return Day on The Green

A dispute over burying the hatchet: Return Day caught up in growing polarization

The Green hosted by Tom Byrne, Delaware Public Media

Delaware Public Media is part of the recently launched Delaware Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of local news and community organizations working to bridge divides statewide.

This week with Election Day looming Tuesday– the collaborative offers its first piece diving into polarization in the First State. And its start in a somewhat unexpected place.

Delaware prides itself on a unique post-election tradition known as Return Day. The event – held 2 days after the election – brings together election foes in Georgetown and ends with a literal burying of the hatchet in a box of sand.

But the tradition is in danger of being swept up – at least in part – in the polarization that has become commonplace in our nation’s discourse.

Reporter Andrew Sharp discusses his Delaware Journalism Collaborative piece on the controversy surrounding Return Day and polarization on The Green with Tom Byrne.

Listen here

Read more

Taking Sides: Polarization challenges Return Day traditions

History of Return Day: From politics to parties, the tradition dates back to 1812

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