Riding a high of eye-popping shifts to the right across the electorate, Republicans have a choice. Will we do the expected or will we aim higher and achieve more? Will we put points on the board, or will we change the game for generations to come?
Even with electoral success, our long-term hopes and ideals for America will be thwarted by the insidious forces of toxic polarization — demonization across divides — unless we put patriotism above partisanship. There is plenty of blame to go around for this existential threat to our great experiment, but pointing fingers is weak and a waste of precious time. The bottom line is that America cannot possibly endure when Americans see each other as its greatest threat. Toxic polarization has convinced us that our fellow Americans are our enemies. That is a lie that threatens to destroy us.
Toxic polarization has convinced us that our fellow Americans are our enemies. That is a lie that threatens to destroy us.
Finding a way out of this toxic vortex, freedom from its oppressive grip, requires humility, curiosity, and courage. Every citizen has an impact where we live, work, learn, play, and pray. We can choose listening with curiosity, speaking from our own experience, and connecting with respect.
While all of us have a noble role to play in our communities, leaders in Washington have the additional capacity to steer the entire country onto a more prosperous path. Studies show that Americans are highly influenced by the signals we receive from political leaders. Thus, every time a politician makes a statement, they have a weighty choice: Am I going to pit Americans against each other, thus chipping away at America’s greatness, or am I going to use my influence to strengthen America by seeking a way forward together? Am I going to break or am I going to build?
One of the core principles of American conservatism is human dignity. In contrast to the slicing and dicing identity politics of the left and emboldened by the new multiracial coalition delivering victories for Republicans, we have a golden opportunity to be the party of unity and dignity for all. We can proudly stand for free speech, for a free marketplace of ideas, for a shared national identity as Americans. As we vigorously contest visions, values, and policies, never surrendering our convictions, we can uphold a basic respect for the humanity of our opponents and all fellow Americans.
… emboldened by the new multiracial coalition delivering victories for Republicans, we have a golden opportunity to be the party of unity and dignity for all.
Not only is this what America needs; it’s a winning strategy. We have just seen the consequences for a party perceived as condescending and intolerant. Denigrating, scolding, and canceling your political opponents is a stone-cold loser. The American people demand respect and they will be heard. Voters will support politicians and positions that they believe see and value them.
One of the most exceptional traits of America is the extensive variety of backgrounds and beliefs among Americans. This variety can be our greatest vulnerability or a tremendous asset. Our vision of America can be more optimistic and ambitious than the one claiming we are irredeemably stuck in opposing identity groups.
Republicans should stand boldly for a patriotism unbridled from toxic polarization, unconstrained by political siloes, unleashed to make America greater than it’s ever been before.
America will be its greatest when it is as we pledge it to be: one nation under God, indivisible.
I encourage my fellow Republicans to leverage the influence they’ve earned to make it so. The 500+ organizations in our Listen First Coalition bringing Americans together across divides to build understanding, trust, relationships, and solutions — to turn down the heat and find a way forward together — stand ready to support and applaud your courageous steps.
Pearce Godwin is Founder & CEO of Listen First Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit that serve as the backbone for America’s bridging divides movement.