Opinion: It Is Time for America to Heal Its Divisions
By • October 9, 2024 0 9
By Fred Ryan
Study after study confirms what we all already feel: America is deeply divided. Toxic partisanship rises as institutional trust craters. We trust our neighbors little and our leaders even less. Why?
The causes are many, but here are a few. Social media: It rewards incivility, emboldening us to say things online that we’d never say face-to-face. Outrage is the oxygen of social media, every bit as addictive as gambling or sugar. Many cable news outlets and websites fall into the same trap, deepening our divisions to promote their business model.
Another driver of polarization is our elected officials and the new incentives that motivate them. Political success can be gained by outrageous antics that drive social media traffic and bag cable news slots. Subject matter expertise and the ability to pass legislation are less important than ever; legislative staff have been replaced with social media managers. Most members of Congress no longer even reside in Washington, missing opportunities to socialize with members of the opposite party.
Our education system has failed us too, drastically cutting back the teaching of American history and our founding principles. Alarmingly, only 13 percent of eighth graders are proficient in U.S. history, and fewer than half of Americans can identify all three branches of government. Without a solid understanding of our history of self-governance, we lose the foundation needed for respectful and informed civic engagement.
Where do we go from here?
We need to go to news sources we can trust. We need politicians who are rewarded for legislating rather than stunting. We need to put down our phones and engage more with the world around us. We need organizations that bring people together for healthy debate and public discourse.
If there is to be a renewal of American unity, it will come from simple, timeless actions. We must get out of our bubble and chat with our neighbors. Go to church or join a club. Get involved in local politics. Attend a debate, hear both sides and talk to the panelists.
Democracies are premised on face-to-face relationships. Without them, we’re beholden to algorithms and the addiction to outrage. Ultimately, it’s through engagement with neighbors, co-workers and our fellow citizens that we rekindle unity and civility in a troubled world.
Fred Ryan, former publisher and CEO of the Washington Post, is leading the Ronald Reagan Center on Civility and Democracy.
