Bridging Divides

The Braver Angels Answer to Political Polarization

I am republishing here an article that first appeared in the March 6, 2024 issue of the Owatonna Peoples Press:

When I tell people about my work with Braver Angels, an organization working to bridge the political divide, I often get a raised eyebrow or a skeptical “Really, how do you plan to do that?” Given our ever-widening political rifts, their doubt is not surprising.

In this divided landscape, it’s key to understand two types of polarization. First, there's attitudinal polarization – where we differ in our political views, values, and priorities. This kind is actually good; it helps us make better, well-rounded decisions. The second type, affective polarization, is the troublesome one. This isn’t about disagreeing on policies; it’s about disliking, even hating, those who aren’t in our in-group. It’s natural to feel a kinship with like-minded people, but the trouble starts when we can't stand the other side, questioning their motives and even, in the worst cases, denying their humanity.

One solution? Think more broadly about who’s in our “group”. Sure, we’re tightest with friends who share our views, but what about seeing ourselves as part of a larger community - our town, state, country, or even humanity itself? This can help dial down the us-versus-them mindset.

We also need to consider biases. We all have them; they help us make quick decisions in a complex world. But when these biases go unchecked, they can feed into the worst parts of group dynamics. This is where Braver Angels workshops shine. They give us a chance to set aside our biases and really listen to what the other side has to say. It’s about understanding, not interrupting or just waiting to make your point. It’s amazing how this approach lets us more easily see the person behind the opinions.

Polarization isn’t just a problem between political parties - it’s within them too. Democrats and Republicans each have their own internal rifts. Think about conservatives labeled as “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only) for being open to compromise, or how some progressives dismiss traditional liberals. This infighting, in my opinion, is more harmful than the cross-party bickering.

My time with Braver Angels has shown me that we’re not as divided as we think. The loudest voices, usually the most extreme, tend to dominate the conversation, but they don’t represent everyone, and in fact they represent only a small minority.  I’ve even found I have more in common with moderates from the other side than with the hardliners in my own camp.

I once thought what we needed is a new party to emerge from the middle, but we don’t. We need to learn how to debate and discuss issues without tearing each other down. That’s the essence of Braver Angels' mission: to help us disagree in a healthier, more constructive way. Recognizing our own biases is hard. We tend to see our views as the norm, making it tough to spot our role in the divide. It’s easier to point fingers at others than to look inward.

Interested in being part of the solution? Join us at a Braver Angels workshop on Public Policy and Race. While it’s focused on this specific topic, the skills you’ll learn apply to all kinds of heated debates. The workshop is coming up at the Foundation Room at the Owatonna High School on March 13, from 6-9 pm. If you would like to know more or sign up, please send me an email at rwarehime@braverangels.org.

Roger Warehime is the Blue co-chair for the local Braver Angels Alliance and author of the Substack publication Polarity Perspectives (polarityperspectives.substack.com).  The views expressed here are his own and not necessarily those of Braver Angels or any other organization with which he is involved.