Here's a short piece about how to become less divided.
--Kim
On the subject of Democrats' so-called "division" or infighting (call it what you want): I have found a way past this issue for myself—and I've noticed others who seem to have a similar perspective. So, I've written up this quick, easily shareable method , which hopefully can be useful at every level (individuals on social media all the way up to electeds):
Politics is more than just one conversation. It's a bundle of conversations. None of us are equally passionate or committed to ALL the conversations. Maybe it's the conversation about marriage equality or healthcare or foreign policy or climate change that's most important to you. Whichever conversation is your top priority, the key to political unity is recognizing first and foremost that there are many conversations that make your politics.
I've noticed that people who can have more than one conversation tend to be a unifying influence relative to the divisiveness of people who refuse to really have any other conversation than the one most important to them. The key to broader unity is for each of us to allow our allies to have conversations beyond what's most important to us.
How does this play out in real time?
So, when I meet someone who insists on having only one conversation, rather then the conversation that interests me, I literally say: "Sure, I can have that conversation first." Typically, saying this once is enough. Simply allowing for the other person to lead with what's important to them is enough to create a space where I can then speak about the original topic at hand. Sometimes I need to say it a few times.
I find that division actually begins in these small, micro level political conversations where neither person recognizes that politics unfolds in multiple conversations at all times and neither is willing to hear the other. The more people feel silenced or ignored, the deeper divisions become.
One caveat: one way to identify if a person is a political no go—someone you can't work with or speak to and should probably ignore—is whether or not they refuse at all costs to hear or allow for any conversation other than their own. Even if they only allow for another conversation begrudgingly—you can still work with them. I try not to waste time on unreachable people.
This is a very small, one-on-one dynamic in our politics. But it's actually quite important for moving towards a political unity in the Democratic party—and for getting past the idea that many people have viz "They never listen to what's important to me."
If we think of politics as many conversations—not just one—and simply pause to allow for another conversation to unfold: I think we can build unity fairly quickly and take a key step towards growing the kind of power we need to overcome the problems Trump dropped on this country.
"Sure, I can have that conversation first."
Andrew C. White
Spot on. It covers two incredibly important topics... The importance of listening and the importance of recognizing that not everyone is coming from the same place that we are and therefore might have different priorities and different viewpoints and yet still be an ally.
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