By Alex Hinton
Is it possible to bridge America’s stark political divisions?
In the wake of a presidential election that many feared could tear the U.S. apart, this question is on many people’s minds.
A record-high 80% of Americans believe the U.S. is greatly divided on “the most important values”. Ahead of the election, a similar percentage of Americans said they feared violence and threats to democracy. Almost half the country believes people on the other side of the political divide are “downright evil.”
Some say that the vitriolic rhetoric of political leaders and social media influencers is partly to blame for the country’s state of toxic polarization. Others cite social media platforms that amplify misinformation and polarization.
There is, however, reason for hope.
I say this as an anthropologist of peace and conflict. After working abroad, I began doing research on the threat of violence in the U.S. in 2016. In 2021, I published a related book, “It Can Happen Here.”
Now, I am researching polarization in the U.S. – and ways to counter it. I have visited large Make America Great Again events for my research. I have also gone to small workshops run by nonprofit organizations like Urban Rural Action that are dedicated to building social cohesion and bridging America’s divides. Some refer to the growing number of these organizations as a “bridging movement.”
Their work is not easy, but they have shown that connecting with and listening to others who hold different political views is possible.
Here are three strategies these organizations are using – and people can try to use in their own daily lives – to reduce political polarization:
1. Listen first
Pearce Godwin, a former Republican-leaning consultant from North Carolina, was one of the first “bridgers.”
In 2013, Godwin was doing Christian humanitarian work in Africa. Upset by the vitriol of U.S. politics, Godwin, who had worked on Capitol Hill, wrote a commentary, “It’s Time to Listen,” while on an overnight bus trip across Uganda.
Multiple U.S. newspapers published his column, which called for what is the starting point of most bridging work: People should listen first to understand.
Later that year, Godwin started a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, the Listen First Project, to promote this message through activities like a 2014 “Listen First, Vote Second” public relations and media campaign.
After Donald Trump won the 2016 election, Godwin decided to expand Listen First work. He established the #ListenFirst Coalition with three other similar organizations: The Village Square, Living Room Conversations and National Institute for Civil Discourse.
Today, this coalition includes over 500 organizations, whose work ranges from one-off dialogue skills workshops to longer-term projects that seek to build social cohesion in the U.S.
2. Be curious, not dogmatic
Braver Angels dates back to 2016 and is another large nonprofit organization that is part of the #ListenFirst Coalition.
On Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024, Braver Angels organized hundreds of pairs of Trump and Kamala Harris supporters to stand at polling stations and demonstrate that dialogue across the political divide is possible. Some held signs that read “Vote Red, Vote Blue, We’re All Americans Through and Through.”
During the past year, I have observed Braver Angels workshops on media bias, public education, immigration and the 2024 election.
Their fishbowl exercise stands out.
Designed by Bill Doherty, a couples therapist and co-founder of Braver Angels, the fishbowl involves a group of Republicans and Democrats talking.
People in the group take turns speaking on a particular political topic, while the others – along with a larger group of observers – listen to what they say without speaking. After peering into this “fishbowl,” each group member discusses what they discovered by listening to the other group. Many mention their “surprise” at points of agreement on certain issues and the thoughtful reasoning behind positions “on the other side” they had previously dismissed.
The exercise illustrates a key starting point of bridging work: Be curious, instead of trying to prove you are right. Learn how someone on the other side of an issue understands and perceives something.
3. Burst out of your bubble
Another key strategy to overcome division is helping people burst out of their bubble. The idea is that people can objectively detach from and examine their assumptions, and then try to explore alternative views outside their social media, news information and community silos.
One #ListenFirst Coalition partner, AllSides, tries to help people do this through a digital platform that shows how the same news of the day is being reported by left, right and center media organizations. It also has an online tool, “Rate Your Bias,” which helps users become aware of their own assumptions.
People can use these tools to compare different stances on issues like federal taxes and civil liberties – and how their own positions line up. People can also search for individual media outlets to see if the majority of other users have rated these organizations as liberal, conservative or center.
When people identify their own biases – which can become evident as they examine the media outlets they like, for example – it can help them become more curious and open. It also helps them move out of the information silos that divide people.
The bridging movement is not without its challenges. People who lean red are sometimes suspicious of these initiatives, which give people information on voting and democracy and can be perceived as having a liberal bias.
Group diversity is also a challenge. Based on my observations, Braver Angels participants tend to be older, white and educated.
And other groups, like #ListenFirst Coalition partner Urban Rural Action, have to spend considerable time and effort getting a diverse range of people in their programs.
But, given America’s stark political divisions, I think there is a clear need and desire for the depolarization work these groups do.
The vast majority of people in the U.S. are concerned about the current state of polarization in the nation. These bridging groups show a way forward and offer strategies to help Americans build bridges across the country’s deepening political divide.
Alex Hinton is Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights at Rutgers University, Newark.
Jackson says
America WILL SEE a National Abortion Ban, more gigantic tax breaks for corporations and the extremely wealthy, punishment for the middle class and the poor, drastic cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and VA benefits, eliminating Medicaid and food assistance, eliminating the Affordable Care Act, higher drug prices, ending the $35 cap on insulin, higher costs on products including food and gas, voter suppression, Government State controlled news media, no rights for the gay, lesbian, and transgender citizens, child labor, massive deportation of Hispanics, christofascism, fewer rights for women, to have white men in total control, and to have an authoritarian leader to take away their rights. America you are going to get what you deserve now.
Ed P says
Solid advice. Missing component is motivation. Each side has dug in so deeply that it might be impossible for either side to “compromise” their individual views.
Jim says
I’d like to listen to MAGA explain the following (for starters):
1. Why is it okay to pardon 1500 people who invaded the capital, injured officers, damaged property and temporarily delayed the confirmation of Joe Biden as president?
2. Why did Trump cancel the flights of 1500 Afghan refugees to the USA? These are Afghans and their families who assisted our troops when we were there. Their relocation to the US is supported by veterans who they helped during their tours.
That’s just today’s latest “Make America Great Again” shenanigans from Trump. I just want to know how these actions are making this country better? Seems to be heading in the opposite direction but I’m open to hearing some well-reasoned, logical justifications.
joe says
How do you bridge the “partisan divide” when this happened:
“The bishop leading the inaugural prayer service on Tuesday urged President Donald Trump to “have mercy” on his constituents, specifically naming LGBTQ people and immigrants.The sermon by the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, was part of a larger post-Inauguration Day interfaith ceremony at Washington National Cathedral. Trump was seated in the first row alongside first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance during the service, a tradition undertaken by presidents of both parties.
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” said Budde, who was looking directly at the president. “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives.”
She added: “They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues.”
Later, as Trump was walking through the White House colonnade with his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, reporters asked him what he thought of the sermon. He asked the group, “Did you like it? Find it exciting?”
He then added that he “didn’t think it was a good service, no” and said they “could do much better.”
he “didn’t think it was a good service, no” and said they “could do much better.”
Sorry, but I have NO desire to try and “bridge” any divide with this utterly depraved, cruel and small man. He traffics in fear, terror, and division and cares for NO ONE but himself and feeding his insatiable need to be worshipped.
Jackson says
so well stated. Great job!!
FlaPharmTech says
Nope. Ship has sailed. No fault of Dems. Need radical rebuttal to maga and NOW! Pardoning the January 6th insurrectionists found GUILTY by US Court of Law! trump is a felon, which negates any presidential honor. He’s fit for an infomercial, that’s about it. Stain, disgrace, abortion. My words are meant to invoke a shared revocation of the current president, a conversation about what WE can do better. Enlighten me.
oliver thomas says
Sigh, you provide a salve for the soul with your suggestions however I feel the MAGA masses have already reached a crescendo of motion that dismisses any notion of compromise, compassion or common sense. I wonder aloud if we have reached our own crescendo akin to biblical apocalypse ‘a la’ Revelation 13:3-6 which somewhat jars my senses?? I guess I’ll keenly observe the biblical ’42 months’ and see how this pans out.
Pogo says
@joe
God bless you.
Courage, dignity, grace? This is it:
As stated
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bishop+asks+trump+to+have+mercy
Slapstick movie gangster become horrific reality — definitely it:
As stated
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=trump+official+portrait
Totally absent from too many mouths:
As stated
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what+is+nonviolence
Shalom
Laurel says
I see what the article states. People are more similar in their beliefs than they realize. I would like to see the division over with.
How do you talk to a relative, or friend, who will not talk, and totally freaks out if you try?
How do you talk to relatives, or friends, who run out an buy guns because they believe Black Lives Matter are black people who are going after them in their gated communities?
How do you talk to relatives, or friends, who put all their eggs in one basket, not recommended by economics #101, and when the market goes down one day, they sell and lose, then blame it on Biden?
How do you do it?
Trump, and his oligarchs, keep the shit stirred up multiple times daily, day after day. It’s on TV 24/7/365. The division is their priority, and their influence is more consistent, outrageous and viewed more so than the relative, or friend, trying to talk. People literally believe he is a God sent savior. How do you get around that?
Sherry says
Excellent comment Laurel! Thanks! I see it as “fact driven reality” VS “alternative facts”. As you say, how do you get around that?
Ed P says
What if listening is the answer instead of talking?
If anyone believes their personal outlook/opinions are absolute and non-negotiable then open discussions are impossible.
Maybe look in the mirror. Why are you so sure your family or friends are the ones who are wrong?
FlaglerLive says
Please stop lecturing commenters about how they should comment and stick to the subject at hand. Leave the personal out of it. Comply with our comment policy. Thank you.
Laurel says
I want Ed P to explain what is so wrong with the question “Why do you like Trump?” There was no preference, no derogatory tone and no previous argument. Just a simple question in an attempt to listen. Just an attempt to bridge a family gap. This question was asked of a relative. The husband sitting next to her freaked and actually ran outside! My husband was told “Now you upset him.”
We cannot talk about political views with this relative one, tiny iota. Nada. So, we don’t. There is no soft approach. Tip toeing on glass won’t work. Done deal.