GASTONIA, N.C. — Start a political conversation with someone who doesn’t share your views and a casual chat might get tense quickly. Things are very polarized right now, but a national group is trying to confront that polarization head-on in our local communities.
A documentary on the Braver Angels' website shows a table of Democrats and Republicans talking politics right after the 2016 election. Afterward, there were smiles and even some hugs. This was a part of a mission to depolarize America. The group started in Ohio.
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Jennifer Stepp, a Gastonia City Councilwoman, also co-chairs the Braver Angels alliance in Gaston County.
“This is about hearing stories, hearing experiences and being able to respect and understand a person; even if you don’t agree with them," Stepp said.
Stepp and Dr. Mark Epstein work on the alliance together. They don’t agree on most politics, but they are friends and help host events for respectful political disagreements.
“It is being able to listen and understand a little bit better and find our fellow citizens, and respect them,” Epstein said. “The exercises were actually designed, modeled after the same kind of counseling that goes on in family therapy.” he said.
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Like family therapy, workshops and debates through Braver Angels are structured. It’s a platform UNC Charlotte History Professor, David Goldfield, says is missing in today’s society. He also says it’s a problem compounded by social media.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that those who disagree don’t hate us. They just dislike the positions that we take,” Goldfield said.
Goldfield points to Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who were divided politically -- but good friends.
“They were close friends because they understood and respected each others' differing views and chose instead to concentrate on those qualities that drew them together,” he said.
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Right now, there’s so much divisiveness, an idea of respectful disagreement with empathy and unity may sound like just a dream, but the success of Braver Angels shows people want it and are getting behind it nationwide.
Since 2016, Braver Angels has spread to all 50 states, bringing more people together -- not as Republicans and Democrats, but as Americans.
Epstein said there are other grassroots organizations pursuing a similar cause and referred to his discovery of the Braver Angels in 2017 as a breath of fresh air.
“There is hope. There is a remedy to polarization. Not only is it out there, it’s completely necessary. It requires, however, time and energy of every citizen to be a part of that remedy,” he said.
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