Our view, in short, is that when trust between the American people dwindles the appeal of dangerous ideologies built on the idea that we are irreconcilable enemies rises. Our work runs through communities and institutions and the airwaves in an effort to rebuild trust and goodwill between Americans so that we can engage the project of self-government together. In that way, we create common ground that is antithetical to the sort of trends you describe.

Still, we are a community of people who may disagree about where the most salient threats of authoritarianism come from. What unties us is a belief that by revitalizing the bonds of American people we build resistance to the worst possible developments that may threaten American society, whatever part of the spectrum it may come from.

https://braverangels.org/braver-citizens/find-a-local-alliance/

Thank you for asking David! Take a peak at our alliance map. If you do not see one for Monroe County you can still reach out to your state coordinator. Maybe we can work together and get one going.

https://braverangels.org/braver-citizens/find-a-local-alliance/

“Those who despise Donald Trump will want to read in these pages confirmation that he was a narcissist unfit for the highest office in the land. Those who revere him will want to read how Trump the anti-hero fought to save the United States from establishment politicians and bureaucrats who had for too long been derelict in their duty to the American people. But I wrote this book to get past the hyper-partisanship and explain what really happened. I wrote with no political agenda; the politics of our day are pulling this country apart. And I wrote with no desire for requital. I wrote to recount what I experienced. As a historian, I have been a consumer of books like this one, and I have always approached them with vigilance and skepticism. I expect that you will do the same.”

See below for a summary on points made for reflection

Point Number One: Building bridges is not contrary to equality and social justice in fact, it is our best tool for delivering lasting change. Now today, there is a perception, among some advocates, that being adversarial is the main way to make change. Compromise and civility only serve to entrench existing power structures.

Pluralism is not about holding hands and singing “Kumbaya.” It is not about abandoning your convictions and folding when things get tough. It is about recognizing that in a democracy, power comes from forging alliances, and building coalitions, and making room in those coalitions not only for the woke but also for the waking. Now, there are risks involved in engaging with groups you disagree with, particularly if there’s a power imbalance involved. There is a risk when you begin to negotiate comprises that you’ll give away too much, that you’ll whittle away your issues to the point where it’s hard to claim that you’re making progress. And building bridges may require you to deal with people who not only disagree with you, but do not respect you.

Point Number Two: Pluralism does not require us to deny our unique identities or experiences, but it does require that we try to understand the identities and experiences of others and to look for common ground.

It may feel satisfying in the short term. Unfortunately, it actually reinforces the sense that we are inevitably, immutably divided and that makes it harder for people to reimagine how they might see themselves and they might see others. In order to build lasting majorities that support justice — not just for feeling good, not just for getting along, to deliver the goods — we have to be open to framing our issues, our causes, what we believe in in terms of “we” and not just “us” and “them.”

– We have to try to frame issues in ways that at least consider the possibility of a win/win situation, rather than a zero-sum situation.

Third Point: Pluralism works better when it is about action and not just words

Words alone do not build trust. Words alone do not rid people of prejudice. What does build trust, because it builds relationships, is people banding together to get stuff done. Whether it’s a mosque and a synagogue joining forces to help victims of a natural disaster, or a Black community linking up with a traditionally hostile white community in Chicago to try and stop a highway from running through both neighborhoods. Such common efforts take time. They require an investment on the part of the participants.

It won’t eradicate people’s prejudices, but it will remind people that they don’t have to agree on everything to at least agree on some things. And that there are some things we cannot do alone.

Final point: We are not born with the muscles to make pluralism a habit, it takes practice, and we need to rebuild the institutions that can give us that practice.

Which is why this may need to start by just looking for opportunities for people to once again become a part of a society of joiners. Create more organizations from elementary school all the way through adulthood, that bring people together to do something.

A lot of our best work will happen from the bottom up instead of the top-down. If we’re going to get better at pluralism, it’s going to happen in the neighborhoods, in the communities where we spend our time, and in the schools where our kids develop the skills and learn how to negotiate and work together across differences.

What happens when the other side has repeatedly and abundantly made clear they’re not interested in playing by the rules?” Even in those circumstances, it’s important to look for allies in unlikely places. Too often, we assume that people on the other side have monolithic views when, in reality, some of them may share our beliefs in sticking to the rules, observing norms, and that’s why, when it is appropriate, there is nothing wrong with reinforcing and lifting up elected officials or voters, your neighbors, your friends, who you may not disagree with anything but they do agree with you on that.

Building up these habits and practices that so often we’ve lost. Learning to trust each other again, that’s a generational project.

Younger generation: And what they’re discovering is that, when they apply the principles, we just talked about — when they listen, they recognize their multiple identities, seek out common experiences and common values — they’re not just strengthening democratic habits. They’re building stronger organizations, which means they can deliver better results, concrete results for their members.

That is the power of pluralism. That’s how we break this cycle of cynicism that’s so prevalent in our politics right now, and ultimately, that’s how we’re going to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time.

A Road Trip Across a Divided America, Film Screening, with Braver Angels, [Be Curious; Joseph Sim’s journey on a summer-long road trip across the United States that asks, “How did we lose connection with our neighbor, and more importantly, how do we get it back?” and Braver Angels] Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship, 1520 N 12th St, Boise, ID 83702; November 09, 2024 More information at: https://www.hydeparkmennonitefellowship.com/ and
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-a-road-trip-across-a-divided-america-boise-registration-1054143945919

This type of laziness is the problem . This “I got mine , screw you” attitude is what has allowed this wicked game to persist . You take comfort in being “white” because it gives you a “pass ” ; but you forget what it was like before you obtained your’s. Go ahead and ignore the suffering of others so your comfortable but remember karma swings back around

Hey Erik,

Just returned to this piece and am seeing all the comments that I missed at the time. Just wanted to point out, whatever you think of the piece on the whole, that the quote you take here as reflecting my own biases was not one that was meant to reflect my own point of view. I was summarizing the views of critical race theory oriented and other antiracist scholars and activists, and seeking to demonstrate where that view comes from.

I talk more directly about my own feelings towards the bottom of the piece.

The point is not “being civil.” The point is to be able to have a discussion and understand one another.

It is only by ending the “othering” and treating every individual with dignity and respect — especially those with whom we disagree — that we have any chance to start to understand one another and find common ground.

Treating everyone with respect is the only way we can reach those who are filled with hate and have any chance to change their minds. And it DOES happen! Just look at the story of Daryl Davis who befriends members of the Ku Klux Klan and gets them to renounce their white supremecist beliefs.