A lot has happened in the world since the last week of June, but I’m still hopeful. From June 27-30, I was able to attend a convention in Wisconsin as a delegate for FCNL, the 2024 Braver Angels National Convention, which renewed my hope for a united America.
The experience renewed my hope for America’s political future, despite our polarized times.
Throughout the convention, I was able to hear perspectives across the political spectrum, engaged in respectful debate with my fellow delegates, and enjoyed the beautiful Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin. My political beliefs were challenged and enriched. Most importantly, the experience renewed my hope for America’s political future, despite our polarized times.
At the start of the convention, 700 of us delegates were reminded why we came: the first debate between two major presidential candidates. This debate saw the candidates take their differences beyond politics. I and many other delegates were disgusted by the personal attacks that we saw on stage. Despite this unfortunate partisan divide showcased on national television, everyone at the convention served as proof that there is still hope of collaboration between the two parties. Just by attending the convention, we showed that many people from across the political spectrum are willing to act against partisan politics.
Each session that I attended intentionally had matched numbers of Reds (right leaning folks) and Blues (left leaning folks). This approach is key to Braver Angels’ philosophy. It creates a balance so that neither side can gain an advantage over the other. This format is used for all Braver Angels sessions, but it works especially well in debates.
While you might expect a heated argument, the debate sessions allowed both sides to express themselves in a controlled and safe environment. My two favorite debates were titled “Are illegal protests necessary?” and “Should you vote third party?” I found myself agreeing with the positions presented by both Reds and Blues, a refreshing feeling in our political climate which pressures us to choose a side.
Each debate ended with time for reflection in which people could share how they felt about the session. We mostly felt that the debaters presented good information which demanded time to process. As a student at Wilmington College who has been active with FCNL for several years, I appreciate this practice of intentional reflection. Imagine if this was a standard following presidential debates or heated arguments on Capitol Hill!
The convention also offered plenty of sessions to learn more about a particular topic from experts. My favorite of these sessions was titled “Transgender Care.” The speakers for this session were knowledgeable and provided a history of gender-affirming care and methods that other nations used to treat gender dysphoria. This session, as well as others I attended, gave me a lot to consider as my political identity and views continue to evolve.
The Braver Angels network is doing incredible work by bringing people from all walks of life together.
The Braver Angels network is doing incredible work by bringing people from all walks of life together. They don’t just gather once a year, but through many programs such as local alliances. Members of the FCNL community are active with Braver Angels, and FCNL itself is proud to be a Braver Angels Partner organization.
These polarized times can certainly make our future seem bleak. But the folks I met in Wisconsin showed me that there is hope for the future if we work together. As I go back to Wilmington this fall, I’ll bring what I’ve learned and share with others how we can all play an active role in depolarizing our politics and thus building peace.
