Movement From Disunity to Unity
Examples of what movement from a culture of disunity to a culture of unity could look like:
Example #1
From A Culture of Disunity: I will vote for the candidate who convinces me to be scared about what might happen to America if I don’t.
To A Culture of Unity: I will vote for the candidate who can articulate a better, inclusive vision for the future.
#2
From: I will not talk politics with my family because I don’t want to create divisions.
To: I will talk about politics with my family because I like to listen and understand them.
#3
From: I will send candidates to Congress in order to stop the other side’s agenda.
To: I will evaluate leaders based on their ability to bridge divides and solve problems.
#4
From: I will run for office or get involved in a campaign to get the most votes and create an identity and political brand for myself.
To: I will run for office or get involved in politics to fulfill a shared mission and empower my team to work with excellence.
#5
From: I will focus on winning elections so we can have more power to achieve outcomes.
To: I will use the power I already have to the best of my ability to better humanity.
#6
From: I will protest when I’m not happy with the status quo so my voice will be heard.
To: I will get to know my congressional delegation or other congressional staff personally so we can work together.
#7
From: I will paint the other side as evil and out to destroy America, especially when I fundraise.
To: I will talk with the other side because they have knowledge and experiences that I don’t.
#8
From: I will poke fun at the other side to make them and their ideas look silly, because ridicule works.
To: I will respond to the points my opponent or others make to build trust.
#9
From: I will leverage facts to support the narrative of my party or ideology.
To: I will leverage the power of my team to uncover facts so we can create solutions.
#10
From: I will interrupt my opponent when she is speaking because I have a different view.
To: I will listen and note my opponent’s views so I can thoughtfully respond to each of them.
#11
From: I will advocate for passing legislation with only my party’s backing if that’s what it takes to get something done.
To: I will move legislation by gaining consensus so that we have an outcome we all can believe in.
#12
From: I will stage questions at committee hearings to look powerful, and make the other side look ignorant and weak.
To: I will do my research to ask questions that lead to greater understanding and accountable government.
#13
From: I will blame my team when things go wrong.
To: I will accept responsibility for the way I’ve led my team.
#14
From: I will not communicate with my opponents or those I disagree with when I think their ideas are harmful because they don’t understand the truth.
To: I will debate my opponent’s ideas with respect because I can articulate a better viewpoint if they are misguided.
Ten effects of a culture of disunity:
1. Stalemates in Congress and a lack of conversation
2. An electorate motivated by fear
3. Congressional approval rating consistently below 30%
4. Executive overreach because Congress doesn’t act
5. The feeling that one’s voice is not heard and does not matter
6. Burned out, stressed out, and disengaged voters and political staff
7. Stressful relationships that are difficult to maintain in families, churches, and communities
8. Protests that become violent, including loss of human life, and a loss of respect from other countries who should see us model human freedom
9. Economic hardships that result from violent protests
10. A shared loss of our basic humanity, both as victims and abusers
Mission: Inspire American Unity
Create a culture of American unity for the next generation by producing content, experiences, and leaders that inspire it today.
Journal Entry #129
ISSUE 019: THE TRAILHEAD—LEADERSHIP FOR AMERICAN UNITY, PART 6
Part Seven: Ten reasons why we do the work to create a culture of American unity.
As President Kennedy said about going to the moon, we choose to create a culture of American unity through a biannaul illustrated journal not because it is easy but because it is hard. Also included on the list: If we’re going to ask our military to defend us abroad, we have to create a culture, not just a democratic structure, worth defending at home, for the US and the world.