10 Things We Can All Agree On

When we launched IYC in 2020—during one of the most tumultuous years in our nation’s history—we were guided by a twofold belief: That an informed electorate is vital to a healthy democracy; and that our country isn’t nearly as divided as some might suggest.

Isolated? Yes. Stressed out? Absolutely. Anxious about the future? A little bit! Irreparably divided? Absolutely not.

Through our programs and free events, our goal is to get people talking about the issues that matter to them. Sometimes, that means having tough conversations with people you disagree with.

But here’s the thing: Finding common ground is a lot easier when you know that you and the other person share some of the same beliefs—those foundational values that make our democracy what it is.

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Here are 10 things that all of us—regardless of our races, religions, backgrounds, or identities—can agree on.

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#1—We’re all human beings. Pretty simple! You can disagree with someone. You can get angry at their politics. But they deserve the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as you do.

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#2—We’re entitled to our own opinions. Just because you believe something doesn’t mean that everyone else is going to—or should! Sometimes, you have to change a person’s mind. And that’s okay! People change their minds all the time!

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#3—Calling someone (or their ideas/opinions) stupid is never constructive. Talk about a great way to kill a conversation before it’s even started! Even if you think the other person is misinformed, calling them names isn’t the best way to prove it. Instead, show them how they’re wrong—rationally, logically, and respectfully.

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#4—If I like chocolate and you like vanilla, those aren’t actually opposing viewpoints. Sometimes (not always, but sometimes!), two preferences can be equally valid. There is no clear-cut “right” or “wrong” answer. Your feelings shouldn’t be hurt just because someone else likes something different. The trick is to know which disagreements fall under this category—and which ones are actually worthy of debate.

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#5—Not all sides of an argument have equal weight—especially when one is perspective is rooted in bad information! Some arguments are supported by stronger evidence; some are not. By falsely equating the two (which many media outlets do), you’re not only giving undeserved “airtime” to baseless claims; you’re contributing to the rise of disinformation. It’s misleading at best—and destructive to our democracy at worst!?

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#6—Just because you think it, believe it, or say it, doesn’t make “it” true—or right. Saying you’re entitled to your own opinion is not the same as saying you’re entitled to being right. You still have to support your claims with facts and evidence!

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#7—Just because a person supports a specific issue, cause, or community doesn’t mean you know who that person voted for. You may think you do. You may try to guess. But you don’t actually know! People are complicated. People are nuanced. You can’t use one data point (i.e. one opinion) to make a blanket judgment about someone’s beliefs.

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#8—Words (and actions) matter. When you’re having a conversation about a difficult subject, it’s important to choose your words carefully. Sitting at the same table as someone is not the same as knowing them—their background, their experiences, their triggers and traumas. Be respectful. Be conscientious. Avoid over-generalizations and dog whistles. Be a provisionalist—someone who acknowledges the inherent complexity of language and conversation, and understands the importance of being open to new ideas!

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#9—Partisan news outlets, social media, and personal anecdotes/opinions are no substitute for credible sources, thorough research, and strong evidence. We can learn a lot from our favorite news shows and social-media accounts. But partisan perspectives can also obscure the truth. Sometimes, facts can be obscured to protect a particular point of view. So check your sources! Make sure they’re actually reliable and reputable!

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#10—At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. Never forget that!

A vast, diverse majority of Americans believe that our country can live up to its potential. Whatever our issues, no matter the challenges we face, the only way we’re going to solve the problems in front of us is by finding common ground. And that means having the tough conversations.

The good news: IYC makes those conversations fun, informative, and entertaining!

Check out our upcoming fun, free, virtual events at www.informyourcommunity.org/events