Today’s Magnificent Monday celebration is an appreciation of Braver Angels1, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization with a stated mission to “bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.” They do this, in part, through hosted events in which well intentioned folks from along the political spectrum get together to discuss topics of importance without rancor. Listening well is a key component.
I’m not sure I qualify as an experienced fan of Braver Angels, but I went to my first meeting of our local chapter last month and will go to a second this week. Around tables set up in a church basement, small groups shared thoughts about media bias. At our table of seven (three liberals, three conservatives and an independent), everyone was polite and respectful and brought the intended spirit of real listening. There were moments when things got a little edgy, but my prevailing experience was relief at being in a place with others who are tired of reflexive hostility. Not a single person started a sentence with “Jane, you ignorant slut.”2
It’s important to emphasize that the organization’s goal for these conversations is not to get everyone to agree. It’s to encourage a better understanding of how others put the world together. Why? So we can stay connected with friends and family members who don’t think like us; so we can remain neighborly with the neighbors; and so we can, together, share the work of advancing our democracy.
There’s no going forward in any meaningful way if we remain completely convinced that the other side is subhuman.
Not everyone at last month’s event had a perfect experience. While my MSNBC-watching husband cheerfully bonded with the Truth Social-reading guy sitting next to him, there were a couple of folks who seemed to have missed the part about listening3, and indulged in some partisan speechmaking, and it took some effort to slow them down.
That said, I am holding out hope that more bridge building efforts such as this take hold. Being angry all the time isn’t working out all that well.
Have a wonderful week, friends.
Here’s the Braver Angels website.
You can get a taste of the vibe of Braver Angels through the group’s podcast, A Braver Way
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How did you find a meeting? Is there a locator link...lots of videos and podcasts and writing on website... but I’d love the face to face conversation! Thank you for bringing this to our attention! ❤️💙
Thank you for this word of hope, Karen, and for being brave enough to attend a meeting.