Positive Discourse in a World of Turmoil
- John R. Zadrozny
- May 16, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: May 20, 2024
By John R. Zadrozny
Approaching my first post to Action Academe, I have pondered what topic would be suitable for such a diverse academic forum. After all, community blogs and other publications can potentially serve as the lifeblood of any educational institution’s pursuit of knowledge and broader mission of fostering an informed society.
As a political science major with a true passion for politics and legal discourse, it is my natural tendency to write about these complex and often contentious topics. However, like many in my chosen field of study, I do so with tremendous caution. I recognize that most individuals avoid these difficult conversations, or even worse, curate social groups of uniform ideologies in an effort to avoid them altogether. Given the hypersensitive world we live in—one where one slip of the tongue or misinterpreted statement could have profound consequences—is it not understandable why most people would opt for this approach? However, as I noted in several of my recent college transfer applications, I am not "most people"….in that I actively seek out opportunities to engage in discussion from a wide variety of socioeconomic, political, and racial perspectives. While I understand it is not the objective of this forum to promote political ideology, there is one political concept I feel desperately needs attention: positive discourse.
At the time of writing this piece, my fellow students and I find ourselves in the midst of the finals week chaos. Like many of my peers, last week I found myself trapped in a cycle of nonstop scrolling, searching for reprieve from the monotony of test prep and essay composition. As a guiding principle, instead of trying to outsmart the algorithms of tech platforms, I've opted to harness these targeted software tools to my advantage. In doing so, I seek out content that promotes various forms of growth—whether it be financial, spiritual, or political. Amid a feed inundated with the hatred and vitriol espoused over current events, one video posted by the activist organization Starts With Us stood out as a welcome relief. The post featured a 2014 interview with Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton hosted by the Presidential Leadership Scholar Program. In a brief yet impactful clip, the former Commanders-in-Chief discussed their unlikely, yet enduring, friendship. In the discussion, the two political adversaries acknowledged their tremendous ideological differences, but asserted that they built mutual respect based on their commonalities. In the concise yet resounding words of President Bush, “Just because you disagree with someone doesn’t mean you don’t like ‘em”. A testament to this spirit of cooperation, the Presidential Leadership Scholar Program itself is a joint venture funded by the Bush and Clinton presidential libraries. This initiative’s curriculum aims to inspire future generations of change-makers by imparting principles of effective leadership to students and professionals alike.
Relationships like these were not always so rare; in fact, at one time they were commonplace across all levels of government. The personal and professional friendship between former President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil garnered extensive media coverage during their respective tenures in office. As one former presidential aide noted, they had a mutual respect for each other that “separated their ideological bent from the need for basic human decency” (Gorecki). Similarly, unlikely companions like Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia emphasized how you can “disagree ardently” and still be personal friends. These relationships were able to thrive because the individuals involved recognized that their shared identity as patriots far outweighed their status as political rivals. Both sides wanted to effect positive change for the American people—they just disagreed on how to go about doing so. To translate this approach to the language of sports, athletes may compete fiercely on the field, but once they step outside the lines, they can be tremendous allies. Political ideology and personal identity should not be one and the same; however, in recent decades this has increasingly become the case. This leaves many asking: what has led us so far astray?
One need not be a political analyst to recognize the profound divisions we face in the United States and our global society as a whole. As protest encampments continue to unfold on college campuses across the country, pitting classmate against classmate and colleague against colleague, one cannot help but look on with pessimism as history repeats itself. Eerie images of riot police swarming institutions of higher education elicit vivid reminders of the tumultuous anti-war movements of the Vietnam era. This grim reality is but a symptom brought on by poor leadership from across the political spectrum. I assert that the public remains complicit as it continues to endorse candidates that remain unapologetically indifferent to bridging the political divide. Simultaneously, the needs of everyday Americans continue to be largely ignored. Political discourse at both the micro and macro levels has largely devolved into ad hominem attacks and circular arguments that perpetuate constant scapegoating. While I recognize passionate discourse is required in any thriving democracy, this cannot be the reality our founding fathers envisioned.
Please do not mistake my disdain towards bigotry or indecency as a sign of naïveté with regard to the political process. Politics, much like life itself, is indeed a “contact sport” where competing interests constantly strive for power over the other. However, there must be a better way. As anyone who is even somewhat familiar with the principles of philosophy can attest, discourse is the fuel that drives the vehicles of advancement and discovery. In fact, Socrates went so far as to say “there is no greater evil one can suffer than to hate reasonable discourse”. This might explain why it feels like so little progress has been achieved in recent years. While none of us may have the leverage or platform of political power brokers like Donald Trump or Joe Biden, we must refuse to accept this reality.
Despite a bleak state of current affairs, there are those dedicated citizens who strive to actively combat the communication void plaguing our current political landscape through engagement with activist organizations. Through my own involvement with multiple activism platforms, I have been introduced to several organizations striving to quell mounting political animosity. Braver Angels is a national nonprofit organization that works to combat political polarization and promote informed citizenship through workshops, debates, open forums, and skills training events between those of opposing political outlooks. The work of this dedicated group focuses on fostering those forums in which open and honest conversations can make inroads to often hardened political and socioeconomic perspectives by emphasizing the importance of listening with empathy, respecting differences of opinion, and identifying common ground.
Yet despite making tremendous progress, I’ve sometimes found the glaring disparities in participant demographics troubling. The fight to overcome a resounding disinterest in bipartisanship amongst college and high school students was at times exhausting. Yes, I do take pride in the fact that individuals within my age demographic often maintain the greatest vocal presence. However, it's disheartening to note that a significant portion of them are also the least informed. An emerging deficiency in media literacy, coupled with a misguided reliance on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram for non-biased news, has fueled the trend of growing ignorance among young Americans. Contrary to the stereotype of older Americans being "set in their ways," my experience with Braver Angels revealed that it was actually the youngest voters who were least inclined to engage in our events.
Other organizations sharing similar objectives and values, such as Bridge USA and No Labels, ensure a comprehensive approach to bipartisanship. Bridge USA, a student-focused organization, works to combat political division by hosting discussions through its extensive network of over eighty affiliate institutions at the college and high school levels. Conversely, No Labels collaborates directly with elected officials to promote “centrism and bipartisanship,” advocating for what it terms the "commonsense majority." (No Labels) Notably, their efforts have facilitated the establishment of bipartisan work groups within both state and federal governments, with the 2017 establishment of the House Problem Solvers Caucus being their crowning achievement.
Lasting change can only be met through the cooperative efforts of many. Leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King owe their success not only to their own actions, but to the millions of Americans who marched and protested alongside him. Conversely, the American populace would be far worse off without the courageous leadership of Dr. King. In other words, while it's clear America needs great leaders, this can only happen through the active involvement of well-informed and engaged citizens. Dr. King himself recognised that progress required building relationships with politicians on both sides of the political aisle. His approach prioritized positive change over party affiliation. More than ever, each of us is positioned to make our voices heard to promote peace and effect positive societal change. However, this can only happen through open and respectful conversation, actively listening to opposing perspectives, and pursuing collaborative solutions.
Works Cited
Gorecki, Rich. “Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill: A Real-life Friendship.” Boston College, 28
Friendship.html. Accessed 8 May 2024.
No Labels, https://www.nolabels.org. Accessed 5 May 2024.
John R. Zadrozni is a sophomore at CT State Manchester who has also studied at Tunxis.
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