We Heard You: How Do You Reach Across The Political Divide?

Even before the Nov. 9 announcement that Donald Trump had won the 2016 presidential race, the chasm between political parties was wider than at any other point in decades of surveys. Researchers attribute this growing animosity to a number of factors –from education level to religion to race — and note that one thing both red and blue sides can agree on is that they disagree with the other.

Liberal and conservative-leaning voters tend to consume news from different, and often conflicting, sources. As social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook increasingly become the one-stop-shop for Americans’ news consumption, many users and researchers are concerned that this curation of news based on “likes” and friends’ “likes” could create bubbles of political experience. The proliferation of profitable fake news that spreads like lightning across social media, and is by design easily mistaken for fact, can spread untrue rumors with harmful consequences.

WABE’s “We Hear You” series is an effort to pop the political bubbles in our communities, or at least build doors in the walls. We asked the following question on WABE.org, and collected the answers — with minimal editing and not including inappropriate or irrelevant responses — over the course of a week.

How do you relate to people whose political affiliations differ from yours, whether they’re strangers, acquaintances, friends or family?

I purposefully maintain relationships with people of different political beliefs. [It] can be difficult, but I make a point to finish every political conversation by reaffirming our relationship as being meaningful despite our different points of view. Polarization along political lines makes it harder to deal with very pressing issues, and it’s important to make a conscious effort to reach ‘across the aisle’. Echo chambers don’t do any good, and demonizing each other doesn’t help either. – Anonymous, Old Fourth Ward

I’m very willing to listen, discuss and even change my mind if people of differing opinions offer objections to my point of view, that are valid or substantial. When their arguments become too vague or [ideological], frustrating as it can be, I try to find out how whatever issue they’re talking about affects them personally, and have a discussion about that. – D Martin, SoBu

I don’t think that there is any “real” level of misunderstanding. I believe that it’s a simple matter of individuals being exposed for who they are and what they believe. I am much clearer that those voting for Trump do not care about anyone that may fall into a minority group. They don’t care about people receiving medical care. They don’t care about people having control over their bodies. They don’t care about discrimination. They don’t care about marriage rights. They simply don’t care … – Trace, Marietta

I believe the main thing is to respect everyone. Try to listen before you speak, and meet people where they are. – J Gotlieb, Stone Mountain

If they are reasonable and can debate facts about issues, I will be glad to express my opinions and the evidence I’ve encountered that support those opinions. I will give them opportunity to do the same. If they are emotional or closed minded, I simply won’t discuss politics with them. – Charles Ottosen, West Cobb County

I like to think that most, if not all, people mean well in their political leanings and want the best for our society. However, it’s difficult not to be combative, to instead be informative and open to discussions. Especially when it feels like the policies of the other side are setting the whole system ablaze and you’re going to be stuck watching it burn down. – Trey, O4W

If you have something to say about our current political climate, please let WABE know. We will be asking different questions on this topic on WABE.org leading up to Inauguration Day. The question box below has a different prompt, and we’d like to hear your thoughts.