In the midst of another contentious election season, two Tennesseans from vastly different backgrounds say their friendship is an example of how to bridge our country's deep divides.

State of play: Vanderbilt University law professor Samar Ali, who works to defuse hate and division through her nonprofit Millions of Conversations, recently filmed a TED Talk video with Clint Brewer, managing partner of the Nashville-based public affairs consulting firm Imperium Public Strategies.

As a peacemaker, my heart aches. Far too many people are justifying violence. This is a frightening place to live. Our children deserve better. Far too many people are dehumanizing entire ethnicities, religions, and genders. Our children deserve better.