“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
Abraham Lincoln
Better Angels is a “bipartisan citizen’s movement to unify (a) divided nation.” The organization builds alliances between people with very different beliefs. The goal is to reconnect through respectful communication. With the growing polarization in the US (and perhaps other countries) we desperately need to listen with respect, listen to understand, and look for common ground. In the following video, we see people who are very different politically, yet they build bridges by listening with courage, respect, and patience.
(Note: There are some brief, unpleasant scenes starting 1 minute and 8 seconds into the video with ABC news showing the problem of polarization, so if you want to skip over that part, go to 1:48 to get back to the solution.)
It’s interesting that in a longer video I watched, the closing media commentary included the report that both sides blame the media for polarization of “hyper-partisanship.”
I appreciate this program because it shows we can do better. We can learn to communicate and listen with respect even when we strongly disagree.
To learn more about Better Angels, visit: https://www.better-angels.org/
#WATWB brings positive stories on the last Friday of every month.
Thank you to our hosts, Simon Falk, Andrea Michaels, Shilpa Garg, Sylvia Stein, Belinda Witzenhausen.
For more information on #WATWB, click here
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August 31, 2018 at 12:54 am
This seems to be an intelligent and thoughtful way to tackle polarisation. I don’t like to demonise the media, being a freelance journalist myself (haha – don’t want to throw darts at our kind) but the media does play a big part. If they’re mindless and nasty, led astray by the big media houses they work for, thinking only about making a huge impact with a new, exciting and disgusting story that somehow titillates people’s interest, then they are part of the problem.
Sorry, my comment is not positive, as the WATWB is. Glad that there are better angels. And we can all play our part in helping.
August 31, 2018 at 11:24 am
Thank you for your voice. I agree about the media. We need balance on what is covered and how it’s covered. That’s why I created my Good News Tuesday post. It’s hard to find good news, but good news happens all the time. What we focus on gets bigger.
August 31, 2018 at 2:07 am
This is the kind of initiative we need in today’s day and age. Thanks for sharing about this lovely organization.
August 31, 2018 at 10:02 pm
I’m happy to share. Thank you for understanding the need.
August 31, 2018 at 6:10 am
This is just ❤ The collective energy they are generating, with respect and care, is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this, JoAnna. Xx
August 31, 2018 at 10:10 pm
My pleasure! It gives me hope. Thanks for understanding!
August 31, 2018 at 11:23 am
Many thanks for sharing JoAnna.. I agree with Jane.. While there is divide, more and more are understanding the need to co-operate with one another gets more done than arguing with one another.. Wishing you a peaceful weekend JoAnna.. ❤
August 31, 2018 at 10:20 pm
I’m very glad to be able to share this one, Sue. I agree about what gets more done. Arguments distract us from the work that’s needed. Understanding and cooperation, no matter how hard, can save us. Blessings and peace to you. ❤
September 1, 2018 at 11:29 am
❤ Mega Hugs.. ❤
September 1, 2018 at 8:50 pm
❤ Mega same. 🙂
August 31, 2018 at 12:28 pm
A great and much-needed initiative. I like the movement’s work of allowing its participants to come to an “accurate disagreement which can lead to mutual understanding.” It’s important to note that their goal is not to change minds, but rather to humanize the other.
Thanks for sharing, JoAnna 🙂
August 31, 2018 at 10:30 pm
I found “accurate disagreement” to be an intriguing and useful phrase, too. It reminds me of focusing on facts rather than assumptions. Thanks for picking up on that, Rosaliene.
September 1, 2018 at 12:24 pm
🙂
August 31, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Oh JoAnna I feel for all the good people and it is true there is such polarisation now. Here in the U.K. Brexit and the referendum divided us. However I do feel there is a lot of stirring going on too. We have to resist demonising ordinary people and look at where our ‘facts’ are leading us to.
August 31, 2018 at 10:33 pm
Yes, we have to resist the demonizing and find what we have in common. I think we will find more in common than differences if we look with an open mind and heart. Sending hope and peaceful intentions wherever they are needed.
September 1, 2018 at 6:02 am
Very true and much needed these days.
September 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm
a wonderful bringing
of people together 🙂
September 1, 2018 at 10:57 pm
Yes! Thank you for noticing! 🙂
September 1, 2018 at 9:03 pm
This gives me hope. We have to stop driving ourselves apart.
September 1, 2018 at 10:59 pm
Me, too. There really is plenty of common ground if we just look for it.
September 3, 2018 at 7:00 am
I love this idea! It’s definitely possible to build bridges with everyone – so long as you respect both them and yourselves.
Happy WATWB 🙂
September 3, 2018 at 9:01 pm
Thank you for affirming this possibility! Happy WATWB! 🙂
September 4, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Every once in a while I see something that gives me hope for our country. This is one of those things. We have to learn to dwell on that which connects us, not which divides us. Great post JoAnna!
September 4, 2018 at 11:38 pm
Thank you, Deborah. I feel the same way about hope and finding connections.