Welcome

The current political divide in our country is damaging personal relationships.

For many, political alliances are a question of personal ethics and values, and what do you do when those that you have loved do not share your views? And what do you do when shared history or other ties are strong enough to want to try to maintain some connection despite these differences?

We believe listening is not the same as being complicit with ideas we don’t agree with.

This website is a collection of videos, podcasts, and essays that we hope will inspire dialogue around questions like:

• If we sever all ties with those whose political beliefs we disagree with, how will be able to recognize the humanity in anyone who opposes our own beliefs?
• As one of the people I interviewed stated, “If we can’t even talk to our family about this, how are we ever going to talk to strangers about it?”

This site is not about trying to make expert pronouncements on the subject, but rather an opportunity to give voice to the anxiety, sadness, and fear many are experiencing about this subject.

There is however lots of professional research on this subject. Here are some staggering facts:

• According to a Stanford study, partisan identities are now stronger than any other social marker, including race and religion.
• Americans are isolating themselves based on party affiliation, not just socially, but geographically.
• Studies show an increase in how people are demonizing and othering those with opposite political ideologies, and have defined this as political sectarianism.