It seems the evil twin of multiculturalism known as identity politics has taken over–division and discord rule our discourse.
Vexed by Values: America Has a Free Speech Problem
Upon my return from a six-year stint at San Quentin State Prison, I look at the world with new eyes. Prison life has brought into focus many of the mysteries I see in modern society as it enters this post-Rationalist/Humanist Age with all the anxiety that accompanies such momentous upheaval.
It seems the evil twin of multiculturalism known as identity politics has taken over–division and discord rule our discourse.
The latest example of just how division and discord rule our discourse is World’s Dullest Editorial Launches Panic (In an inane sequel to the Harper’s Letter fiasco, a New York Times editorial ignites a fury proving its anodyne thesis) by Matt Taibbi.
“Appalling,” barked J-school professor Jeff Jarvis. “By the time the Times finally realizes what side it’s on, it may be too late,” screeched Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Will Bunch. “The board should retract and resign,” said journalist and former Planet Money of NPR fame founder Adam Davidson. “Toxic, brain-deadening bothsidesism,” railed Dan Froomkin of Press Watch, who went on to demand a retraction and a “mass resignation.” The aforementioned Watson agreed, saying “the NYT should retract this insanity, and replace the entire editorial board.” Not terribly relevant, but amusing still, was the reaction of actor George Takei, who said, “It’s like Bill Maher is now on the New York Times Editorial board.” World’s Dullest Editorial Launches Panic
Counter to these screeches of outrage, I endorse the aspiration that “Exchanging new ideas, holding our government accountable, and living together peacefully despite differing views all rest on our ability to exercise free speech in a culture of toleration.” America Has a Free Speech Problem by The New York Times Editorial Board (The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate, and certain longstanding values. It is separate from the newsroom).
I’ve joined Braver Angels in an attempt to work through our cultural shortcomings (inability to discourse/debate). The tools Braver Angels deploys via workshops and conversations are the best I’ve found to help weave our community of citizens together, in dialog.
Braver Angels is a nationwide bipartisan citizens’ movement started in 2016 dedicated to bringing red and blue Americans together in a working alliance to depolarize America. To understand the key ability to depolarize a debate, join Braver Angels it will make our nation a better place. If you’d like to ‘test drive’ a workshop, watch Braver Angels Red-Blue Workshop
The Braver Angels way is a wonderful mix of curiosity and conversation used to develop “understanding without judgment” and thus cross the political polarization divide.
An example of Braver Angels in action was Saturday, March 19, 2022, when I co-moderated a Braver Angels event in San Francisco. As an alliance, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity presented with the author, Monica Guzman, who came to the Green Apple bookstore to promote her book, I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times. Our San Francisco Braver Angels alliance hosted a conversation by Monica Guzman and Carlos Hernandez.
Join our conversation with Guest Speakers Monica Guzman, Blue Braver Angels Author and Director of Digital, and Carlos Hernandez, Braver Angels Red Pacific Region Leader and Red Caucus Co-Chair to reveal the spectrum of views across Hispanic voters.
Guzmán is a journalist and the loving liberal daughter of Mexican immigrants who voted — twice — for Donald Trump. She has dual US/Mexican citizenship and lives in Seattle. She is a Fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard. She decided to write a book when she realized that the country could no longer see straight across the political divide. Mónica set out to find what was blinding us and discovered the most eye-opening tool we’re not using: our own built-in curiosity.
Hernandez is a native San Franciscan who lives in SF and is a passionate Republican and Trump supporter of Mexican heritage. He graduated from the Stanford School of Engineering
The purpose of the conversation was to challenge assumptions through a discussion revealing the spectrum of views across Hispanic voters. We learned:
- The number of Hispanics in the US is large and has grown
- 2020 Census: Latinos are 20% of the total population in the US
- Accounted for more than half of the country’s population growth over the previous decade
- Hispanics represent many voters and are voting in larger numbers
- 1 in 10 voters in the 2020 elections was Latino (18.7 million)
- There was a 29.8% increase in votes cast by Latinos v 2016
- Over half of eligible Latinos voted in 2020 — a historic first
- Latino registration rates grew from 57.3% in 2016 to 61.1% in 2020
- Latino voting rates (% of eligible voters who voted) rose from 47.3% in 2016 to 53.7% in Nov 2020
- 25–44 growth 47.4 v. 56.6 (9.20 ppts)
- 18–24 growth 38.4 v 44.1 (5.7 ppts)
- Most significant growth in Latino voters in Texas and Arizona, the border states
- Most (75%) were US-born
- Most lean Democrat (62%) according to a 2018 Pew study BUT
- Between 25% — 33% vote for Republicans in almost every election over the past 50 years
- DJT grew his share of the Latino vote from 28% in 2016 to 32% in 2020
- And Latinos gave 40% of their vote to George W. Bush
The conversation was open and free-wheeling, covering citizenship and identity. Still, tough questions were asked. Monica was asked why she had chosen to maintain dual citizenship (“I made the choice as a 17-year-old and still believe it was the right thing to. I love both countries and only wish Mexico could have the stability of the USA–reporters are not murdered in the US. Also, Americans could have more ‘Sobre Mesa’ conversions as extended Mexican families tend to have.).
“And we must know on some positions, cowardice asks the question, ‘is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’” Martin Luther King
Carlos was questioned about why he affiliated with a party that does not support union works–a viable path to a middle-class life for many (“I was a member of a union and it helped me pay my way through Stanford. Times have changed–just like I changed my party affiliation. The unions of today seem to care more about the union leadership than benefiting their members.”).
THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL INDOCTRINATION PROCESS
The goal is simply to create a space and method for people who disagree to talk politics, conversations that have become surprisingly rare. A 2017 study by political scientists at the University of California at Davis found that three in four Americans almost exclusively talk politics with people with whom they agree. More and more, Americans avoid discussing politics with people they know hold opposite views — if they mix with them at all. The Atlantic, December 2018
Braver Angels seeks to engage in open and authentic conversations. Consider Monica Guzman’s conversation with Glen Beck:
Why Would a Lefty Talk to Glenn Beck? | Monica Guzman | The Glenn Beck Podcast | Ep 138
I’ve also appeared on a national stage with Braver Angels. I’m on live at 21:15!!
National Online Debate — Divergent Facts
Not everyone can participate in a Better Angels event, then I suggest you read Gladwell’s, Talking to Strangers, released in September 2019. It examines interactions with strangers, with the most interesting mix of examples that include the deceptions of Bernie Madoff, the trial of Amanda Knox, the suicide of Sylvia Plath, the Jerry Sandusky pedophilia case at Penn State, and the heartbreaking death of Sandra Bland. It challenges the assumptions we are programmed to make when encountering strangers and the potentially dangerous consequences of misreading people we don’t know. Now, this mob of the unknown includes those with differing political views, a must-read for the new decade.
CONCLUSION
My realization upon participating in the Better Angels event and reading Talking to Strangers is that we sit in judgment in our modern secular world. As we have decoupled from religious institutions/teaching as the moderator of judgment, we now are unhinged. What used to be the harsh righteous indignation of the pious is now manifested in progressive wokeness.
My hope is that with tools expressed in Talking to Strangers and groups like Braver Angels we can learn again to be a community of citizens with differing beliefs in dialog to achieve a common good.
Braver Angels Mission:
Braver Angels is a citizens’ organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America.
We try to understand the other side’s point of view, even if we don’t agree with it.
We engage those we disagree with, looking for common ground and ways to work together.
We support principles that bring us together rather than divide us.
“And we must know on some positions, cowardice asks the question, ‘is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’” Martin Luther King
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