Every day, thousands of people across the United States are engaging in the work of Braver Angels — changing their lives, their relationships, and their communities. In December, we asked you to share the impact Braver Angels had on your year. Here are a few highlights, including some impacts that go way beyond politics…
A mother said attending a Braver Angels workshop depolarized her and her husband’s relationship with their son:
Our 28-year old son had had serious mental health issues for 4 years and was barely in touch moving to different locations in the country. He refused medication or professional help. Conversations with him went nowhere and often became belligerent.
Completely to my surprise, after taking a BA workshop I found I was open to hearing almost anything he had to say.This completely changed the dynamic. He was asking to come home and my husband and I were able to say only if he took medication and received help. He is currently diagnosed with psychosis and has been on medication now for 10 months. He is safe, living with us and very loving. I will forever be indebted to this workshop.
A member of a retirement community started a cross-partisan discussion group to explore controversial topics with people who disagree:
Because of our familiarity with BA methods, a handful of us at a Raleigh, NC retirement community started a “Pros and Cons” discussion group. We deliberately populated the group with people having diverse opinions and perspectives. We meet once each month to share widely differing opinions on controversial topics like immigration, the electoral college, and climate change.
Our group’s members range in age from late 70’s to mid 90’s — an age in which people have strong opinions reinforced over many years of experience, and a marked disinclination to change one’s mind. But by intentionally bringing together people of different points of view and encouraging an exchange of “Pros and Cons,” we are introducing new ideas to old (literally) points of view. People who never would have spoken to each other before, especially about such controversial topics, are now engaged in conversation and gaining new perspectives on important social issues.
An artist shared how he—and his work—have been transformed through his engagement with Braver Angels:
Following Braver Angel guidelines in conjunction with my artwork has led me to talk to hundreds of random people, asking them three non-confrontational political questions. Just like that, out of the blue — or red — however you want to see it. I recorded their voices and used them in my artwork. Their voices of change and reconciliation are directed through a multifaceted art installation. Transformational for sure. People have promised to reach out to loved ones from strained relationships, being ambassadors in establishing bridges across the political divide even with strangers!
A Braver Angels field leader formed a group exploring core values and beliefs to find common ground and solutions:
At the National Convention, we formed an ad hoc group exploring the moral/religious/spiritual beliefs we hold which inform and inspire our actions. This group has been meeting via Zoom monthly ever since, seeking common ground and discussing how our convictions play out in specific political issues. Learning about other faith traditions helps me better understand their efforts in finding solutions. Finding the common ground helps bring us together in effecting solutions. Discussing core values humanizes the ‘others,’ turning ‘them’ into friends.
And more:
- I am faaaaaaar less judgemental of people, including myself. My relationships are all flourishing, I’m actively involved in my local community’s prosperity and health, and I can influence others regularly about the value of seeing the other side’s point of view.
- My political life was tumultuous, and emotionally exhausting, for many years. Braver Angels clarified for me that conflict can be healthy, or unhealthy. Their work has been immensely instructional in how to keep focused on healthy conflict, and to resist the temptation to dehumanize those with whom we differ.
- Just the existence of Braver Angels gives me hope that our nation can recover from its recent wounds.
Do you have a story to share? Please write to us here. Our work is powered by people like you — people who are choosing to show up in big ways and small to create a stronger, healthier nation. We’d love to hear from you.
