There is more that we have in common than what separates us.
ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/majority-of-us-adults-say-democracy-is-on-the-ballot...
Unlock The Common Agenda.
We hear the screaming at the “other side” across a bottomless abyss. It is our pit of frustration that widens and deepens with suspicion, all because of the stalling of an agenda that most people have in common. That common desire has been derailed by semantic and perceptual traps and triggers to divide us.
There is far more that we have in common than we realize. Listening and learning each other's ways of expressing things can reveal it. I began exploring how to be effective bridging cultural gaps. I found that it starts with creating the kind of "relatedness" that opens a conversation. It begins with listening. But, it ends with snark and derision.
As we find ways loosen our grip on the "us" versus "them" thinking, the strength of our good faith cooperation will emerge. In order to release the unstoppable power of a united citizenry, a greater respect and engagement must occur. By finding the best common language to express shared values we can transform our ability to build a more united consensus. Listening is everything.
Join me in the Common Agenda USA effort to empower The Politics of Possibility.
I invite you to create an account here where you can share what attracts you to this journey. I am looking for collaborators for three primary missions:
- Writers to cover and seek out evidence of where agreement exists, along with the most widely agreeable proposal and the best way to explain it. These articles will be subject to review by vetted and moderated commenters in order to give more input into the best wording to reach the widest amount of people.
- Comment writers to offer possible refinements that get rated for agreement and clarity, that are included in revisions of the proposal by everyone
- Activists to organize local neighborhood canvass and organizing events that use these articles as teaching and learning tools to grow people's awareness and understanding of specific policy proposals.
As you register here you will be asked to submit a brief example of what you want to offer. Your account request will be evaluated for sincerity and breadth of cultural expression in order to filter out trolling or "active measures" by malicious actors, and to build a wider group moderators to protect this effort.