{"id":45508,"date":"2024-11-13T16:06:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T16:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buildersmovement.org\/?p=45508"},"modified":"2024-12-10T16:07:02","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T16:07:02","slug":"why-understanding-other-side-more-important-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buildersmovement.org\/2024\/11\/13\/why-understanding-other-side-more-important-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons Why Understanding Each Other Is More Important Than Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"

For some of us, the title of this piece may already be <\/span>irritating<\/span><\/a> \u2014 even maddening.\u00a0<\/span>If you\u2019re scared about Trump\u2019s election, being asked to understand the \u201cother side\u201d can seem a distant concern compared to your fears of what might happen during his presidency.\u00a0<\/span>If you\u2019re glad Trump won, you may be tempted to say, \u201cWe\u2019ve won; we don\u2019t need to listen\u201d \u2014 or maybe you\u2019re angry about the pushback you see on the \u201cother side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As was the case before the election, many of us fear what the \u201cother side\u201d wants and what they\u2019ll do. As we often emphasize, no matter your political beliefs, you can join the movement to detoxify our politics. But we realize that when emotions are high, it can be hard to see that as a priority \u2014 and we won\u2019t ignore that fact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, we do want to make the case that understanding each other is more important than ever. This is because: <\/span>When we fail to understand each other, we push each other away and amplify our divides.\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Here are some reasons that will help you better understand this point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#1: We have distorted views of each other<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many of us have<\/span> distorted views<\/span><\/a> of those on the \u201cother side,\u201d and this amplifies hostility. Some speak as if Trump voters are motivated largely by bigotry and authoritarianism. Some frame Democrats as supporters of all manner of far-left-associated ideas, including socialism and Marxism, or \u201cabolish police\/prisons\u201d-type ideas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We must remember that a big factor in our political preferences these days is not so much <\/span>support for everything on \u201cour side\u201d<\/span><\/i> but <\/span>dislike and fear of the \u201cother side<\/i><\/b>.\u201d<\/span><\/i> This helps explain why political groups can be so varied in their views and motivations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One foundation of our divides is our<\/span> overstated views of how much \u201cthey\u201d hate us<\/span><\/a> \u2014 which can become a reason for us to fear them more, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

#2: Arriving at opposed views is easier than we think<\/span><\/h3>\n

We must try to see that ending up on either side of the chasm separating us is<\/span> much easier than we think<\/span><\/a>. The political narratives we embrace can depend on where we live, the people around us, the media we consume, and specific issues we\u2019ve come to care about, among other factors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Think of our two main political narratives as two streams forming at the top of a mountain. When rain falls, water will flow one way or the other due to various initial conditions and obstacles. Some might go directly into the stream; some will find their way via unexpected paths and backchannels. And once you\u2019re in that stream, seeing or understanding that other path can be hard. The various ways the other stream formed and flows is hard to understand: it\u2019s on the other side of the mountain, obscured from our view. <\/span><\/p>\n

To be clear, <\/span>we aren\u2019t saying that every stance is equally rational<\/span><\/i>; we\u2019re only talking about the ease with which we can find ourselves on opposite sides of that mountain.<\/span><\/p>\n

#3: Ignoring our opponents\u2019 concerns drives them further away\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s critical \u2014 no matter our fears, concerns, or political goals \u2014 to make an effort to see each other more clearly and resist the temptation to always assume the worst about \u201cthe other side.\u201d Embracing humility and curiosity about what our fellow Americans want can help close this widening chasm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A few specific points:<\/span><\/p>\n