Finding Common Ground: A Reflection on Unity in Divisive Times

This past weekend, while attending a basketball tournament for my 10-year-old son, I found myself in a conversation that left a lasting impression on me. It was one evening after the games, at a bar, where I struck up a conversation with a gentleman who turned out to be a Republican.

He asked if I had heard about the attempted assassination of former President Trump, and I replied that I had and thought it was awful. When he asked where I was from, I told him San Francisco and shared that I was there for the tournament with my 10-year-old son and my 7-year-old. He responded, "So you must be a Democrat," and I nodded, confirming his assumption. He then said something profound: "We need to come together."

I couldn’t agree more. As we talked, he shared that he had children the same age as mine. When he asked if I was a Christian, I said yes. At that moment, we both realized we had something significant in common: our faith and our roles as parents. This simple acknowledgment was a powerful reminder that despite our political differences, we shared fundamental values.

He introduced me to his friends, also Republicans. One mentioned he was from Texas, and I shared that my family hails from Port Arthur, Texas. We quickly found common ground, talking about our shared love for our children and the desire to provide them with the best possible future. Our conversation was brief but meaningful, underscoring that beneath our political labels, we are not so different.

This experience was a poignant reminder of a lesson I learned during my time in the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, particularly in our discussions around President Clinton. He emphasized the importance of listening to people and getting to know them. This moment reinforced the value of those lessons in real-world settings.

Data supports the idea that bridging divides through conversation can have a significant impact. A study by the National Institute for Civil Discourse found that 87% of Americans are tired of leaders in Washington who refuse to compromise. Furthermore, 72% of Americans believe that if we could find ways to understand each other better, we could solve many of our biggest problems.

Imagine if each of us took the time to engage in conversations with those who hold different views. If we could all commit to understanding rather than judging, we could begin to heal the deep divisions in our society. It starts with small steps – one conversation at a time.

I look forward to more conversations like this and encourage everyone to take a moment to find common ground with people in your community. Together, we can work towards a more united nation. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we do need to start seeing each other as fellow human beings who all want the best for our families.

Thank you for listening, and I look forward to hearing how you are making a difference in your community as we approach the next election. Let’s remember that unity begins with understanding, and change starts with each one of us.

By focusing on our shared humanity, we can begin to bridge the gaps that divide us. Let’s all strive to make a difference, one conversation at a time.