Day #6: Role Models

Day #6: Role Models

by | Apr 25, 2018 | It's About U.S., Projects

Today, a post answering my own question from yesterday: Do you know any good political songs or artists that build bridges?

I ended yesterday asserting skepticism that political songs can build “bridges” between truly different people. Here’s a recent Ed Helms/Jack Black song (“A Song to Fix Politics”) parodying how ineffective these types of songs often are:

However, there are people making art that battles polarization more effectively. Craig Havighurst gave one great bluegrass example in his article: Rhiannon Giddens bringing diversity “back” into bluegrass (for more on this, see yesterday’s article). But bluegrass isn’t the only artform making this type of progress. Here’s three very different artists doing “bridge” work:

First, this awesome podcast called “Conversations With People Who Hate Me” by Dylan Marron, a hysterically creative and courageous “writer, performer, and videomaker.” While all of us have seen/received hate messages online, Dylan actually calls the people behind his hatemail to find out the reasoning behind their words. It’s amazing to hear how differently people communicate when they realize there’s a human on the other side.

Second, the new Netflix remake, “Queer Eye” (for the Straight Guy). I didn’t see this brilliance coming, but this show isn’t really about fashion, remodeling, or self-grooming—although those topics are highly entertaining. Rather, it’s the tensions and bonds that form between these 5 eccentric “queers” and their extremely diverse (but often conservative) “straight guys” that make this show relevant and fascinating. Seriously. Give it a chance (trailer here).

Third, the program “Songwriting With Soldiers,” which proves (despite my skepticism) that songs can bridge differences. This program pairs soldiers with professional songwriters who help them “tell their stories, rebuild trust, release pain, and forge new bonds” in song. That music is then recorded and shared, “to bridge the divide between military and civilian communities, and build awareness of the challenges faced by our returning service members.” Mary Gauthier, one of the program’s songwriters, has talked about why songs specifically can forge such powerful connections:

“Songs build bridges over broken human connections…. They reassure us that our deepest fears – that no one has ever felt the way I do before, that no one could understand what I am going through, that I am totally and utterly alone — are not true. We humans are so very much alike on the inside, and songs announce to the world our universal human condition, through their lyrical and melodic expressions of how we feel. They are timeless, weightless, and can’t be seen, but they are the great human connectors….” –Mary Gauthier (more here)

I think all these people and programs are doing incredible work, and I hope to eventually find my own path in making music that builds “bridges.” As always, if you have ideas or want to get involved, get in touch!

Day #5: Music to Fix Politics

Day #5: Music to Fix Politics

by | Apr 24, 2018 | Articles, It's About U.S., Projects

When I was 16, I took my first trip to Nashville for a one-week bluegrass camp. I remember showing up to the first faculty show 5 minutes early (“on time is 5 minutes late,” drilled my orchestra conductor) and wondering if I had the time wrong. Attending bluegrass camp felt like visiting a foreign country. The other students could gather round the campfire showing off to “Wagon Wheel” while I couldn’t improvise a note. I was surrounded by tattoos, accents, rocking chairs, oil drillers, and hints of racism. But when I heard these people “jam”—by the fire, the porch, picnic tables, classroom…  anywhere they could–it was like the distance vanished. I’d never connected with music like that before. And hearing this music made me want to connect with the people who made it. Admittedly, when they talked, I didn’t agree with most of their ideas. Some of their words made me terrified to share any of my own. Nevertheless, I wanted to listen and understand because these people clearly had a lot to teach me.

That experience left me so hungry to learn about this music and culture that ten years later, I moved to Nashville (where I currently live). Now, I play music with people across the political spectrum: from extreme left, extreme right, to those who’ve gone off the chart in every way they can. Playing bluegrass in particular allows me to develop lasting friendships with people who I’d otherwise probably never meet. As Nashville-native and music critic Craig Havighurst has observed: “Bluegrass festivals are one of the rare places I’ve seen rural Red Staters and urbane Blue Staters enjoying life and mingling together…We go to church apart. We vote apart. But we all love Flatt & Scruggs and Sam Bush” (full article here). 

I’ve come to appreciate the connections bluegrass has given me even more since the 2016 election. I’ve been welcomed by so many Trump supporters–I assume largely because I’ve taken time to learn their musical language. As I’ve learned more about liberal bubbles, I now realize how rare and powerful those Red/Blue connections are.

In his classic “Bowling Alone,” Robert Putnam describes the difference between “bonding” (exclusive) and “bridging” (inclusive) forms of social capital. According to Putnam, bonding organizations “tend to reinforce exclusive identities and homogeneous groups” (e.g., church-based reading groups, ethnic fraternities, country clubs) while bridging organizations “encompass people across diverse social cleavages” (e.g., the civil rights movement, ecumenical religious organizations, some youth service groups). While music can be bonding, the most powerful musical communities I’ve experienced have built bridges. Music’s ability to forge connections across “social cleavages” has given it enormous power over my life: shaping my values, expanding my friends, consuming my free time, directing my work, and moving me halfway across the country.

Moreover, it’s been the less explicitly political songs (like fiddle tunes) that have been truly transformative: connecting me to people whose ideas and experiences are foreign from mine. The term “political music” usually suggests songs proselytizing about politics for politics: think Woody Guthrie, Rage Against the Machine, N.W.A., The Clash… However, I’m often skeptical that individual songs can really bring different people together. And if they do, the bonds they form often increase polarization—resonating only with like-minded individuals.

So today a question for my fellow musicians and music-lovers: does music in your life “bond” you closer to those with whom you agree or create “bridges” with people different from you? Do you know any good political songs or artists that build bridges? And if you have an idea for one, talk to me!

 

Day #4: Social Media Pledge

Day #4: Social Media Pledge

by | Apr 23, 2018 | It's About U.S., Projects

Part of my goal for this project is improving how I communicate with people I disagree with–especially on social media. Personally, I think there’s a limit to how useful social media can be for having political conversations, particularly because it’s so easy to treat people poorly and not really listen when we can’t see them. That being said, social media politics aren’t going away. Therefore, when it feels important to talk politics on Facebook, I’m trying to make my words more respectful and productive.

Better Angels’ “Social Media Pledge” has helped me think about how to do this.

  1. I will post with a goal of clarifying my point of view and not attacking the other side.
  2. I will be civil and respectful.
  3. I won’t make blanket statements or over generalize.
  4. I won’t try to convert people to my “side;” I will encourage understanding and learning.
  5. I will keep an open mind.

The core message seems to be trying to explain your own position and “learn” from others, rather than speaking to persuade or condemn. I often find this easier to do when I build conversations onto pre-existing relationships. When I type to people I already care about, I can transfer my trust/respect into more civil conversation. Furthermore, when I argue on Facebook with people I actually know off Facebook, our conversations are (usually) more productive. We actually want to better understand each other, strengthen our relationship, and come to some resolution between our ideas–whether that be finding common ground or merely accepting our differences.

In contrast, social media often starts conversation before a relationship is formed. Since good conversation is hard (and usually not fun), I don’t have much of an incentive to really listen with an open mind or be truly honest when I don’t know the person with whom I’m arguing.

The way I’ve dealt with this problem is to try to avoid political discussions with strangers online and, if I do get involved, to not take subsequent personal attacks too seriously. I don’t believe those people would say the same things if they actually knew me. At least in my own experience, I know I’m less likely to get angry, to think other people are stupid, or to reduce them to polarizing labels if I also know that person in other contexts.

How do you use social media to talk politics? Do you argue differently with strangers than with friends or family? Differently than in-person conversation? Would you make the “social media pledge?”

Day #3 Community Building

Day #3 Community Building

by | Apr 22, 2018 | It's About U.S., Projects

Today I want to talk about my Better Angels​ workshop’s last goal:

“Community Building: Organize social events in inclusive spaces (e.g., going to a show, potlucking in a park) that bring politically-opposed citizens into substantive, constructive discussions. Seek understanding without condemnation. Offer solutions. Meet, listen, discuss, repeat.”

To support this goal, I’ve gotten involved in the local discussion group “Common Ground Nashville​.” On the first Thursday of every month, a group of “politically-opposed” citizens eat dinner together and then talk about a political issue of local importance (e.g., guns last month, healthcare this month).

This experience is teaching me how hard it is to have good conversation with people I strongly disagree with. Before getting involved in Better Angels, I thought arguing was something people learned just by doing. Conversation is such a routine part of life, relationships, and especially school that I’d just assumed I knew how to do it.

However–in what should have been no surprise to someone who idolizes Socrates–it turns out that the ability to have good conversation is an art. Before I spout my ideas and criticize those of others, I need to think better about why I talk to people: what are my goals? What can a conversation actually accomplish? What types of tools may be useful in a school debate, but not in a one-on-one argument with a friend? When should I talk about my own experiences and feelings versus appealing to outside “facts?”

Answering these questions is hard, whether in theory or practice. Luckily, participating in monthly discussions at Common Ground gives me a place to try new tactics, to fail, and to try again.

How do you make space for “substantive, constructive, discussions” among “politically opposed citizens?” Do you think this is important? Do you have any recommendations for me? Please share!

Day #2: Media Consumption

Day #2: Media Consumption

by | Apr 21, 2018 | It's About U.S.

Last summer, I participated in a Better Angels Workshop (David Brooks actually wrote a column about it). It was a transformative experience for many of us, and afterwards, a group of “Blues” and “Reds” from the workshop (including myself, a “Blue”) published our own article in the Tennessean resolving to improve our efforts in “political involvement, media consumption, and community building.”

Today, I want to focus on our goal to improve “media consumption” by “[seeking] diverse, moderate, and quality information sources representing both sides.” Since this workshop, I have tried to diversify my news sources beyond Facebook, the New York Times, and NPR.

One great resource I’ve found is AllSides, which strives to show the same news stories as reported from differently-biased websites and papers. It’s amazing to see how subtle framing shapes our reactions. Headlines alone show how we seek information that confirms our biases. For example, compare these headlines (telling the same story), but from opposite sides:

Comey’s Accusations
From Right: Comey calls Trump ‘morally unfit to be president,’…
From Left: Trump ‘morally unfit to be president,” Comey says in TV interview

The first one focuses on name-calling (the fact that Comey made an accusatory statement). The second focuses on the statement itself, presenting it as a truth before introducing its author and context. Neither news is “fake,” but the presentation largely determines what I think is important and how I react.

Another great aspect of AllSides is that it can show you stories that aren’t even considered news by the other side. For example, it links to an extreme right article titled “New Report: How Social Media Giants Facebook, Twitter, YouTube Suppress Conservative Speech” and an extreme left article titled, “Fox & Friends weekend shows ignored stories about Trump associate Michael Cohen.” From what I’ve seen, AllSides’ only flaw is that it doesn’t have enough users yet, but we can help fix that!

I still have a long way to go in seeking out different sides of our national political conversation, but AllSides has been a good start. How do you find diverse, quality, and moderate news sources? Do you have any recommendations? Please share!