We can all do our part to bridge divides and set a more positive tone in our relationships with others who may disagree with us. It's not easy, if only because reaching out in those circumstances requires personal vulnerability, which is difficult even in the best of times.
It's even harder for politicians to do that, because their incentive structures are lined up in precisely the opposite direction. Also, our new media environment makes it very easy to dismiss "the other(s)."
But I think prior commenter Steven Stoft may have hit on something important that can be built on: A shared story that many can relate to regardless of political persuasion. One that always resonated with me wasn't a single event but a continuing friendship that transcended differences: That of RBG and Antonin Scalia.
My hope is that we can find more stories like that. My fear is that it may be too late.
Thanks for this wonderful history lesson. I knew of Wallace's conversion, but had never heard this story and had no understanding of Shirley Chisholm. Stories are the best way to persuade people and this is the best of stories.
This a lovely and much-needed essay. It's good to see Christina Hoff Sommers renouncing a tone of contempt for one's intellectual and political adversaries.
My vote for Shirley Chisholm was the first vote I ever cast in a presidential primary. Thank you to a wonderful capturing of who she was and what she represented. Being able to critically think, be objective, yet still be wonderfully empathetic (without losing reason or logic) is a rare gift and we need more role models today like her.
This was a great article. Thank you - from a reader abroad.
I can't help but hear a nagging question to this in my head: does this kind of article attempt to paint a picture that shifts the burden of ideal behavior onto minorities to be model minorities as essential for more unity between Americans? Why should universalism be the approach of some tribes and not others?
I think I know one possible answer to this, but I wanted to hear yours.
I ask because I struggled with this internally in the past.
Wow. This is great. (Having watched Mrs. America, I'm just curious if people know: in that series, Chisholm came across as less compromising than this does. I know it's not a documentary, so maybe it's a matter of fiction and selection, but I also wonder if she evolved over time.)
Lovely and uplifting; thank you Christina!
We can all do our part to bridge divides and set a more positive tone in our relationships with others who may disagree with us. It's not easy, if only because reaching out in those circumstances requires personal vulnerability, which is difficult even in the best of times.
It's even harder for politicians to do that, because their incentive structures are lined up in precisely the opposite direction. Also, our new media environment makes it very easy to dismiss "the other(s)."
But I think prior commenter Steven Stoft may have hit on something important that can be built on: A shared story that many can relate to regardless of political persuasion. One that always resonated with me wasn't a single event but a continuing friendship that transcended differences: That of RBG and Antonin Scalia.
My hope is that we can find more stories like that. My fear is that it may be too late.
Thanks for this wonderful history lesson. I knew of Wallace's conversion, but had never heard this story and had no understanding of Shirley Chisholm. Stories are the best way to persuade people and this is the best of stories.
What a beautiful essay; thank you so much for touching me this morning!
This a lovely and much-needed essay. It's good to see Christina Hoff Sommers renouncing a tone of contempt for one's intellectual and political adversaries.
Thank you for the article. Intolerance we must ever be watchful of and it’s dismissive allure
My vote for Shirley Chisholm was the first vote I ever cast in a presidential primary. Thank you to a wonderful capturing of who she was and what she represented. Being able to critically think, be objective, yet still be wonderfully empathetic (without losing reason or logic) is a rare gift and we need more role models today like her.
Christina Hoff Sommers,
This was a great article. Thank you - from a reader abroad.
I can't help but hear a nagging question to this in my head: does this kind of article attempt to paint a picture that shifts the burden of ideal behavior onto minorities to be model minorities as essential for more unity between Americans? Why should universalism be the approach of some tribes and not others?
I think I know one possible answer to this, but I wanted to hear yours.
I ask because I struggled with this internally in the past.
Wow. This is great. (Having watched Mrs. America, I'm just curious if people know: in that series, Chisholm came across as less compromising than this does. I know it's not a documentary, so maybe it's a matter of fiction and selection, but I also wonder if she evolved over time.)
Loved the story. I wish the premise to prevail. Thanks for an encouraging read