In this article, two authors explain how polarization in American society can be a major roadblock to productive, civil discussions about difficult issues.
Category Archives: Finding Common Ground
Our choices may be making us more individualistic
Whether it’s picking out a box of cereal from the grocery aisle or deciding which sources to get our information from, we make all kinds of choices every day. This article suggests that having all these choices may ultimately have a negative impact on society.
The Pandemic Has Shaken Students’ Sense of Themselves
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected young people and their sense of how they fit into society?
What We Owe Each Other
A social contract is an implied agreement among the people of a society about the rules that define their government. The author of this piece believes it’s time to establish new social contracts to replace systems that aren’t working well anymore.
What the ‘Lyme wars’ can teach us about COVID-19 and how to find common ground in the school reopening debate
Lyme disease, which people get from tick bites, is a subject of controversy in the medical field. What can we learn from this controversy that might help people deal with disagreements about COVID-19 and reopening schools?
Coronavirus: How can society thrive post-pandemic?
How has COVID-19 affected our connections with one other? What other questions should we be asking about how society should move forward from the pandemic? Click this link to read what a diverse group of experts think.
How social media turns online arguments between teenagers into real-world violence
What role does social media play in creating conflict in our society? This article explains how online disagreements can lead to violence in real life.
Conflict Resolution Skills
The most you can control in any conflict is one side—your own. Learn ways to manage your emotions and use approaches that will help you work toward resolving conflicts with other people.
Need to Dust Off Your Social Skills?
This article provides some advice for re-learning the social skills we may have lost during the many isolating months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has shown the flaws of American individualism
Many Americans firmly believe that individuals should be independent and self-reliant. But the author of this commentary argues that too much individualism can lead to tyranny rather than freedom.
For America to Succeed, We Must Find Common Ground
The author of this article points out that humans are more successful when they cooperate. He urges Americans to unite under our nation’s flag, in spite of political differences.
Healing the political divide
This article examines the reasons for the current level of political division in the United States and considers how we might go about trying to improve the situation.
Many Black and Asian Americans Say They Have Experienced Discrimination Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, Asian and Black Americans are experiencing racism and discrimination more frequently than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click this link to learn more about the results of the survey.
Dare to Disagree
Constructive conflict fuels progress far better than passive agreement does. Learn how great ideas and strong results can stem from disagreement.
The surprising downsides of empathy
Empathy—the ability to understand the feelings of others—is an important aspect of emotional intelligence. However, the author of this piece suggests that empathy can have negative effects. Click the link to learn more.
Restoring Trust and Improving Police and Community Relations
How can relationships between law enforcement and communities begin to improve? Watch as author Dwayne Bryant offers his perspective.
Forgiving to Keep a Lifelong Friend
Learn some great tips for how to find common ground with a friend after a fight.
Searching for the real ‘Gullah Gullah Island’
Watch this short video to learn about how the Enslaved descendants of West African heritage find common ground in order to bring their culture to an entire generation of Americans.
Playing Nicely with Others: Why Schools Teach Social Emotional Learning
An increasing number of school districts are embracing the idea of explicitly teaching social skills. Why take time away from academic subjects? Because social-emotional skills help students learn better.
12 issues almost all Americans agree on
If it sometimes seems like Americans will never agree with each other, think again. Here’s a look at some surprising poll results.