Something caught my eye, as I scrolled mindlessly through my inbox. “’Is capitalism the best we can do?’” flashed across the screen.
I scrolled back to take a second look. Having crafted email marketing campaigns for various startups and larger corporations in a past life, I grinned. The subject line hit all the best practices: short, to the point, with a “pop” factor that piqued my interest.
The email was from Braver Angels, an organization with a mission to bring people together and bridge the partisan divide. To be honest, I had completely forgotten I had signed up for their newsletter in the first place. They were going to host a free national debate on Zoom that very night, and all participants would have a chance to speak, ask questions, and listen. As a former corporate marketer now engaging in ecological stewardship, the topic was intriguing. Without hesitation, I signed up.
There was only one thing I wanted to learn: Do we have common ground?
From Comfort to Growth
Growing up as an Asian American on a land distant from where my parents were raised, I was taught not to “rock the boat.” I was advised not to talk about topics like politics and religion. When they were brought up, I smiled and did not engage. I didn’t think much of these behaviors; they served me well through early adulthood.
2020 rolled around and augmented my perspective. The pandemic exposed clear injustices that cut deep and were impossible to ignore. Ever since, I have tried to show up in new spaces — to listen and to learn. I met a lot of people (virtually) from around the world through various events that caught my interest. As a shy person, I felt nerve-wracked, though ultimately realized I could be more authentic by surrendering the need to prove myself, make comparisons, or say something. I could simply show up and listen.
I learned a lot and felt the beginning of a kind of spiritual healing. With time, I realized how important personal stories were. Everyone — just like the individual trees in a forest — has a different story, and each of these stories matters in the collective ecosystem.
In an interconnected world where an underground volcano eruption can bring on tsunamis and cause oil spills in other parts of the world, it’s restorative to honor the various perspectives that make up our human experience. It’s through this lens that I was hoping to understand if common shared values could be found in a forum like a debate, around a spicy topic like capitalism.
Discovering Shared Values
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
For two full hours on a weekday evening, nearly 150 participants from across the nation sat in to hear and be heard. One participant called this debate “the most important event” on his schedule that day.
What I appreciated about this stage was its stark contrast to what we typically see on social media: a constant barrage of unchecked, uncivilized, and disrespectful comments devoid of consequences and true human interaction. The debate included a chairperson, who facilitated speeches from each “side” and fielded questions. It was made clear from the beginning that it was unlikely that the debate would change anybody’s mind, and that the aim was to allow oneself to be open and changed by ideas, to be more aware of the validity in opposing views, to get closer to the truth.
That night, we heard 14 speeches and plenty of questions and responses. Here are my takeaways:
- We have more common ground than we think — Personally, I could not decide which “side” of the issue I aligned with more. I was able to find points of agreement with every speaker, to varying degrees. I consistently noticed “jazz hands” (gesture of appreciation) being sent from speakers of one “side” to speakers of the other “side,” showing how others were able to find common ground as well.
- Multiple truths can exist at the same time — Every speaker had a compelling story to tell, and they were all valid regardless of whether they shared in my agreement, experience, or otherwise. Perhaps it is easier to think in duality: black or white, pro or con, us or them. Yet it’s often more meaningful to collect and honor each person’s perspective. We don’t have to be the same (that’d be so boring!), and we can all exist and help each other thrive together in this forest.
- Constructive, respectful conversations can build unity — This forum was a testament that healthy discussions can be conducted between people of varying backgrounds and viewpoints. After the debate, one participant shared that she was surprised by how much she liked everyone and wanted to meet us all in person, perhaps at a picnic.
These discoveries are all very exciting — and a relief. A relief because it helped me witness something important: that the deep divide we may be led to perceive is not as strong as the common ground we actually share.
We are all trying our best with what we know, and collectively, our individual experiences can help uncover flaws and opportunities in our societal systems. By boldly working with all and not just those who echo our own views, we can inspire each other to act together to chart a healthier, more purposeful future.
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📖 Currently Reading | Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katharine Hayhoe
💚 Read & Loved | The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Miguel Ruiz
🐦On Deck | The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide by Daniel Imhoff, Christina Badaracco
