Updated 2348 GMT (0748 HKT) November 12, 2016
Story highlights
- Van Jones went to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, before election to try to understand divisions
- He discovered a yearning among all Americans to be heard
Van Jones is president of Dream Corps and Rebuild the Dream, which promote innovative solutions for America's economy. He was President Barack Obama's green jobs adviser in 2009. A best-selling author, he is also founder of Green for All, a national organization working to build a green economy. Follow him on Twitter @VanJones68. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
(CNN)I got tired of just sitting on the CNN set, talking about Donald Trump voters.
So, days before the 2016 election, I decided to fly into a battleground state -- and talk to them.
I
visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where a major battle was fought in
America's Civil War. I wanted to know one thing: Are we on the verge of another civil war?
What I learned surprised me. The answers are even more important, now that Trump has won.
My film crew recorded our Gettysburg encounters in hopes they'd shed light on this tense moment in America.
FIRST EPISODE
A
local family invited me into their home one day after Trump made his
own "Gettysburg Address" at a campaign appearance. I expected
fireworks. And I got them. What I didn't expect was all the laughter --
or the tears.
'The Messy Truth': First episode 10:21
SECOND EPISODE
Four
moms sat on the front porch and debated Trump's candidacy. Even though
they disagreed bitterly, I discovered their secret for remaining the
best of friends.
'The Messy Truth': Second episode 08:07
THIRD EPISODE
I
encountered my toughest challenge: a young Trump supporter who wouldn't
back down. Finding common ground seemed impossible. Then a tiny miracle
happened.
'The Messy Truth': Third episode 08:16
What
these conversations reinforced in my mind is the basic decency and
dignity of the Trump voters. They are not blind to his flaws. They
simply rank and balance his shortcomings differently than do his
detractors.
That's important for Trump's critics to know and understand.
I
left wanting to cultivate a deeper sense of empathy -- in myself and in
our country. That's what we seem to be missing -- and secretly longing
for.
To be clear: This increase in empathy will not decrease our
disagreements. After all, constructive disagreement and democratic
debate is the basis of all progress. Democracies advance themselves
through the creative use of our disagreements.
But
more empathy and understanding can keep us from needlessly inflaming
one another, and this should create the conditions for a better
understanding of our differences. Deeper insight can only help all
sides.
Therefore, I am inviting everyone who watches this series to have a #MessyTruth conversation.
Talk (and listen) to someone with whom you don't
agree. Ask questions about anything that doesn't sound right to you.
But don't just fight back. Try to listen. In fact, before you respond at
all, carefully repeat back what you hear -- just to make sure you truly
understand the other person. Then share your own views and feelings. Be
passionate. But be compassionate, too.
Whatever you discover in the process, consider sharing it under the hashtag: #MessyTruth.
Democracy
doesn't just happen on Election Day at the polls. Democracy happens
every day, through every interaction we have with each other.
Our future depends on our ability to have these kinds of conversations all across the country.
You
may be surprised by what you uncover. There are hypocrisies, blind
spots and surprising areas of agreement everywhere. Because the real
truth is always a little messy.
'The Messy Truth' trailer 02:04
No comments:
Post a Comment