This week…Same paper (Washington Post). Same Page (Opinion). Same day (July 4). Same event (President Trump’s July 4 Celebration). Exactly opposite takes. Nothing wrong with that. That’s classic debate material. But it serves as a reminder of the “hidden” power and poison of polarization. The danger of polarization is that it makes the act of argument more important than the subject of the argument. In today’s polarized environment, arguing about celebrating our nation’s independence — a time when we usually pull together — seems normal. So instead of celebrating our common heritage, we snarl at “the other.” Happy Birthday, 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 are just two head-butting headlines from the past week encapsulating the current national mood.
