Over the past week I have been contemplating the (apparent) deep division among Americans, and I have wondered how I can personally address this issue as an artist. On the day of the presidential election, I was greatly surprised by the results, and I spent the entire day having open and candid conversations with anyone that would engage or listen. At work, in the grocery store, outside and inside my children’s daycare–I had excellent conversations, and I heard widely different perspectives and opinions. Of course, all of my big questions were not answered, but I went to sleep feeling a little bit better.
My takeaway was that we all need to have more uncensored conversations about politics (as uncomfortable as that may be). We all need to keep the discourse going, and especially between people who we don’t agree with. As long as we disassociate with the “other side” the divide among Americans will grow deeper, and fear and hatred will continue to infect us all. We need to set our emotions aside and try to have rational conversations and civilized debates with people we encounter-friends, family, and strangers.
We gain nothing by avoiding political discussion for fear of being impolite or offensive or confrontational. Honest and personal conversations help us humanize and understand how others think. As the journalist and political analyst Ezra Klein says: “There are two ways Democrats can respond right now. Contempt or curiosity…There will be a desire to retreat back, hunker down, draw the boundaries of who is decent and who is a fascist ever more clearly.” But we can’t afford to do that! If you are reading this blog, I challenge you to dig deep. Ask questions, listen, empathize, and ask yourself what you stand for and what you believe in.
In the coming months, I will be orchestrating creative opportunities where these types of conversation and connection can take place. Details are still in the works, so stay tuned!