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Together Across Differences's avatar

I love this: “If you want to take action to break out of the cycle we’re in, notice what the identified patient is doing — and consider doing the opposite (ideally, alongside people you don’t always agree with)”. I think working with coalitions of people across differences to express a position or take a stand— -different political perspectives, race, religion, gender, young/older - is powerful and also makes for a stronger message. Thank you, Amanda!

Douglass Teschner's avatar

We appreciate Amanda's important thoughts many of which we cited in our new book Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times https://beyondthepoliticsofcontempt.com/ We invite people to check out ourfree “Together Across Differences” substack newsletter. While many are fearful about our nation’s future, we offer hopeful ways to better our lives, our relationships, and our country.

Chris Myers Asch's avatar

Amen! Our politics and culture have been so distorted for the past 10 years, and we can’t even recognize it. That is part of why I don’t write about the president or current politics in my Substack writing. We have enough of it, too much of it, and we’re not the better for it.

I actually think that there is a lot of good stuff going on at the community level all across America. I live in small town Maine and serve on the local school board. Our board runs the gamut politically, but nearly every decision is made by consensus, and we work together pretty well. Our schools are very diverse politically, but people work together and get along because, what is the alternative? When you actually see people regularly and get to know them, the online political blather tends to fade away.

PhillyT's avatar

Really good read, insightful and as someone who had a parent that was an "identified patient", the parallels are strikingly similar. We as a culture / country have to decide how we want to behave going forward. Good food for thought, and gave me a little hope.

Amanda Ripley's avatar

I'm so glad to hear this resonated with you. Thanks for reading!

Mary Austin (she/her)'s avatar

So interesting to think about! Thanks for this note of hope.

G. Whisper Stone's avatar

Excellent piece. Thank you. Shared.

EDell's avatar

I will share this with media outlets I read and follow. Thank you!

Katy Anthes's avatar

Great piece! Thanks Amanda!

Nina Fasciaux's avatar

Once again so well said, Amanda. Thank you for this !

Richard Davies's avatar

Powerful, original and constructive. Such a good read, especially for those of us who despair at the current state of our politics and public life. We all have work to do!

Alex Marianyi's avatar

Maybe this is how I can explain the situation to my boss in sush a way that stops her from emailing me articles about Trump at 5:30am!

Amanda Ripley's avatar

Haha! Yes, there should be a filter for those emails... Good to see your name here, Alex! Thank you for reading