It was a low point in American politics—at least that seemed the view of both liberals and conservatives at an unusual debate watch party in Kenosha, WI.
The group of several hundred viewers had gathered on the campus of Carthage College at a convention of the organization Braver Angels. They were unsparing in their assessment of the performance of both candidates. "We want better and we deserve better," was the message I heard from both Democrats and Republicans once the debate concluded.
This bipartisan consensus came from the mud-slinging, name-calling, and inability of the candidates to address substantive issues. The debate was like two high school boys arguing on the playground, was how one man at the watch party aptly put it.
So why did I leave the debate feeling hopeful?
Because together, the Democrats and Republicans who shared my disappointment immediately pivoted in a constructive direction following the debate—toward finding solutions through a more civil kind of debate.
Braver Angels, which brings together political adversaries to talk to each other, knows how to get civility and solutions. What's more, the organization wants to bring the rest of the county along.
The 300 conservatives and 300 liberals at the Braver Angels convention spent the weekend exploring hot-button issues like abortion, learning about each other's viewpoints, and finding common ground. About 170 independents also took part.
No one was particularly sweet-souled or Pollyanna-like. We were able to work together because Braver Angels has a specific framework that channels discourse between political "enemies" into productive conversation. The framework has both principles and practices.
"We believe all of us have blind spots and none of us are not worth talking to," explains Braver Angels President David Blankenhorn.
Braver Angels holds workshops on how to have difficult conversations and trainings for how to engage in constructive debate. People learn to listen to a debate about the issues without hearing mudslinging. As they get involved, they realize "those people" on the other side aren't likely to be among the extremes. That's because, despite perceptions, most Americans describe themselves as moderate (34 percent) or "somewhat" liberal or conservative (50 percent).
When people are allowed to express their ideas and be heard—particularly by their political opponents—something appears to get satisfied. Anger tends to die down and sometimes to be replaced by curiosity. Solutions not previously thought of can begin to appear.
Many people at the debate watch party expressed relief that Braver Angels offered an alternative approach to the debacle they had just witnessed. They believe the organization has a way to address the tribalism that is tearing the country apart.
"If the world out there won't fix [our broken politics], we will," said Braver Angels Chief Operating Officer Barbara Thomas, a former U.S. diplomat. "We know our methodology works."
She just wants the rest of the country to join in.
Stell Simonton worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for 19 years before becoming a freelance journalist. She joined Braver Angels Georgia two years ago.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
