By Betty Fox
Americans now see their political opponents “as enemies, this level of rancor and mistrust threatens our democracy. It makes it harder for us to move forward as a nation” said a Braver Angel volunteer. The United States of America is currently as divided as ever, with some calling this state a modern civil war. In Biden’s inaugural speech, he preached about unity being the path forward: “For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness, and fury.” This is Biden’s dream; is it possible? In politics, there have always been disagreements though now, it has gotten to the point where opposing sides can not even engage in political debate. Is it possible to move past this and come to a common ground?
Biden explained how to some his dream may seem “like a foolish fantasy,” and some believe it is truly one. Darwin Buschman, a 64-year-old New York Democrat explained how making a bridge towards Trump supporters is a bridge he does not believe is one worth making. “This is racism, hate, lying, demagoguery, sociopathy, what else can I say, [They are] bad people. I will not sit at a table with them. I will not have a conversation with them.” On the other hand, Virginia Republican Katherine Schoonover explained how she is open to bi-partisan cooperation though she doesn’t “know how you go from telling everybody that they’re all secret Nazi, fascist, bigoted racist people, and you’re going to say ‘Now, let’s come together.’ It’s just ridiculous coming from the Democrats now,” she says. Abi Gold, a 59-year-old Democrat from Arizona believes Biden’s dream is a nice sentiment however deems it unrealistic.
In the skepticists, there are optimists who are willing to change and bridge the gap. Like Vincent Downing, the 58-year-old New York Democrat trying to make spaces for civil, and sympathetic discussions to make those olive branches. Downing has started a group called “When Humanists Attack,” which is a place to have civil conversations between sides. Downing explains that he feels better when he thinks he’s right all the time though “Sanity kicks in, and I realize… if you want to help other people escape from their echo chamber, the first step is you’ve got to escape from yours.” Another sign of progress to unity is The Trump Accountability Project website being taken down by prominent Democrats, who believed their website went against Biden’s call for unity in America. The Trump Accountability Project was a website that blacklisted, shamed, and shunned Trump supporters. Another positive sign is the discussion groups around the U.S like Braver Angels, Braver Angels run “Red-Blue workshops that teach skills for civil discourse and encourage participants to find common ground” explained Specialist Julie Boler. Boler explains that when you open up and feel less frantic rejection then you notice that “softening” is possible.
The “echo chamber” that Downing describes is very apparent in the media, and our society. Many want to stay in their “echo chamber” because it is a group of people who believe in the same principles that they do. Though without leaving each other’s “echo chamber” there is no chance of unity. America is not just filled with Republicans, Democrats, or Independents. America is filled with all three and everywhere in between. To achieve Biden’s goal, people need to step outside of their comfort zone and discuss civilly. LREI is a predominantly left-leaning community though we can not just live in the comfort of a bubble. It will benefit the future of our society if students at LREI and at other schools created workshops where students can participate in civil discussions about politics. These discussions are not meant to change someone’s beliefs, but instead, see a new understanding of the matter, or learn something from your fellow students. Recently unity has seemed long gone, look at January 6th, 2021 as an example. Trump supporters held a protest that quickly turned into a violent raid on the capitol, simultaneously Congress was confirming Joe Biden’s win. Unity in America should not become violent, or leave multiple people dead instead it should look like peaceful protests or civil conversations between people who hold opposing views. If our generation can talk civilly about values and politics then maybe Biden’s dream may not have to be so far fetched.
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