In order to move forward with solutions to our most pressing challenges, we must understand that we are all in this together. Palmer writes that we need to learn to value our nation’s diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and states that we must “find a true point of identity with people” whose foundational beliefs are different than our own.
As I finished eating dinner with my housemates last week, our conversation turned yet again to the election cycle, a common theme these past few months. My heart grew heavy as we recounted the latest examples of hateful rhetoric. I was angry that entire groups of people were being dismissed as “other” in very hurtful ways, with minimal repercussions. I exclaimed to my housemates “I just can’t understand how anyone could actually believe that!” I then realized that I, too, was dismissing an entire group of people just because we disagreed.
Though my frustrations and anger this election cycle are strong and real, I believe that delegitimizing people is not a constructive approach, no matter how much we may disagree.
As I try to work through these feelings, I’ve been reflecting on the words of the Quaker author and speaker Parker Palmer. In his work Healing the Heart of Democracy, Palmer seeks to address our nation’s partisan political impasse, arguing that we must embrace “political tension in a way that opens our hearts to each other, no matter how deep our differences.” He maintains that our problem is not that we hold differences in political beliefs, but that we too frequently demonize those on the other side.
In order to move forward with solutions to our most pressing challenges, we must understand that we are all in this together. Palmer writes that we need to learn to value our nation’s diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and states that we must “find a true point of identity with people” whose foundational beliefs are different than our own. In other words, we must seek that of God in each individual, despite our fears or disagreements. We must focus on our shared values and commonalities.
This approach particularly resonates with me because of my work to create bipartisan dialogue in Congress on climate change. With such urgent problems like sea level rise, ocean acidification, drought, and rising temperatures already affecting people in both the U.S. and around the world, the partisanship that dominates Congress – and its unwillingness to act – has led many to entirely reject the need to work with those with which they disagree.
FCNL’s climate work is deeply rooted in the belief that in order to make progress, and achieve congressional action on climate change, we must identify and work from our shared values in a bipartisan fashion. While it can be frustrating to speak with a member of Congress who refuses to act on – or even acknowledge – climate disruption, we seek to find common ground in our faith, shared future, and concern for our children and grandchildren. Lobbying from a moral and faith place, we hope to provide a supportive, uplifting, and positive space for legislators to dialogue about their climate concerns and desire to leave the world a better place.
This approach has proven to be effective and even refreshing for many congressional offices that want to do more on climate change, but don’t feel like they have the political support or space to do so.
When I had the chance to visit Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) with a group of middle-schoolers in 2014, I witnessed the power of finding common ground firsthand. The students were in D.C. to talk to Rep. Fitzpatrick about climate change, and were quickly able to find common ground by discussing a local restaurant they had all frequented. When the students found out their congressman had earlier worked to protect their favorite county park, they were excited and thankful. This very genuine conversation created a unique space for dialogue, and laid the foundation for Rep. Fitzpatrick to eventually co-sponsor H. Res. 424, a Republican resolution acknowledging climate change and committing to congressional action.
Palmer argues that “the more you know about another person’s story, the less possible it is to see that person as your enemy.” We must not give up on working with Congress on climate disruption. We also must not give up on our neighbors as we disagree this election cycle.
Instead, we must continue to build bridges despite our disagreements, exchanging stories, speaking from the heart, and deeply listening to one another. Only then can what Parker describes as “democracy’s genius,” or the inevitable tension that gets converted into creative energy, be unleashed. Only then can we begin to move forward on bipartisan climate solutions that protect Creation, vulnerable communities, and our children and grandchildren. And only then can we come together to move past the harmful rhetoric this election cycle to create a more just and equitable society.
