Finding Common Ground

It’s no secret that society is extremely divided right now.

Not just by two opposing points of view—but by seemingly infinitesimal differences: age, class, gender, economics, sexual orientation, race, religion, health status, employment status, political perspective, the list goes on.

And the glittering generalities being asserted about each of these segments of society are not only unfair, they are completely inaccurate. Devoid of facts. And unproductive.

The finger-pointing and blame-placing so frequently exercised on school playgrounds did nothing to bridge the gap between classmates back then—and do nothing to advance the conversation, resolve disagreements, or solve society’s myriad of problems and challenges right now.

As the bumper sticker on my aunt’s car states, “It’s not about blame, it’s about responsibility.”

I would argue it’s also about ACCOUNTABILITY.

So here are a few suggestions I hope might increase understanding—and affect change—throughout our increasingly divided society (for what they’re worth):

First, KNOW THE FACTS.

Do your research. Is what you’re reading or being told based in fact? The internet is a great way to acquire and spread information. But that doesn’t make it true.

For instance, while some might argue that older adults are “hoarding” our nation’s wealth, the fact is SEVEN OUT OF THE TOP TEN WEALTHIEST AMERICANS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 65—and most are in their 40’s and 50’s.

Or when they state without evidence that “our presidents are too old,” the fact is FOUR OF THE LAST SIX US PRESIDENTS WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 65 WHEN THEY WERE ELECTED—spanning 28 of the past 38 years.

Second, one way to try to change things is to VOTE.

While the assertion that older adults vote in greater numbers than younger adults is true—and voter participation by age increases gradually as voters get older—it’s not because there’s some vast 65+ conspiracy organized to suppress the younger vote.

It’s because YOUNGER VOTERS ARE SIMPLY CHOOSING NOT TO VOTE.

We don’t need to lower the voting age—we need to get younger voters to vote. So let’s make it easier—not just for younger voters, but for EVERY voter to vote.

Make Election Day a national holiday. Schedule town halls that focus on the issues and invite subject matter experts, rather than politicians, to speak. Encourage people to get involved in their local politics as early as possible (for instance, through Student Council)—and in grain how important their participation is from there.

Third, UNDERSTAND HOW THINGS WORK—and WHY.

Ask questions. Educate yourself. Study history, civics, government, business, Constitutional law, human behavior, science, religion, liberal arts.

Learn how to THINK, rather than just how to do a job.

Yes, we are being asked to navigate some extremely trying times right now. But the responsibility for our situation lies not with one subsection of our society or another.

Nor should the solution.

Because the best solutions don’t come from focusing on our differences—they come from finding common ground.

So let’s get busy.