Clear Patterns

This week . . . looking over the June highlights, certain patterns may not be obvious, but are actually clear: For the polarizers, accusations are more important than issues; anger is more satisfying than understanding; shouting far more than fun than listening.

Imagine if the pundits actually took the issues and the country more seriously than their efforts to pump up their respective bases (and recruit more followers…money…clicks…votes…) and, even in the cause of their respective ideologies, they 1) Focused more on resolving issues than using issues to blame the “other”; 2) Tried understanding and reconciling with the other view rather than caricaturizing and mocking it to stoke their anger; 3) Tried listening and maybe learning something instead of shouting and reveling in their ignorance and narrowness.

Is this naive wishful thinking? Or is it simply a desire to get back to what some would argue is the true greatness of America.

When reading these examples, check the above list and ask yourself: regardless of whether you agree or disagree, is this really advancing an intelligent resolution through the persuasive, rational arguments of advocacy…or simply fueling the fire of conflict through the divisive, emotional manipulations of polarization?

Here is a recap of some of the blue and red polarizing headlines from the month of June.