And ANOTHER reason we Democrats lost and will continue to lose

[pat_k]

108. Nothing

And with Democrats things get better. Always (link below).

But we haven't done a good job of getting through the noise demonizing us to convey that fundamental truth -- that things get better with Democrats in power. Always. I think that some of the demonization sticks because it has small kernels of truth in it. Frankly, I find some of "us" self-righteous in a ways that are unhelpful. And I am very disturbed by the degree to which we are returning their hate of "us" with our hate of "them."

What I've learned in participating in Braver Angels workshops is that knee jerk assumptions led to dismissing people and their concerns in a way that completely alienates them further -- and leaves "us" stressed and angry. Just as "they" are stressed and angry. Getting passed the assumptions and actually talking and connecting is possible. And I've learned that many of "them" have rejected our party simply because they feel so hated and rejected by "us."

I will never forget a Christian woman whose stances turned out to be actually quite progressive. At one point in the workshop, she started crying as it became clear to her that "we" were completely accepting of her Christian beliefs. She had believed that we hated her as a Christian. Period. She had been incredibly afraid to participate in the workshop because of it. Or even to admit she was a Christian.

It broke my heart. It was a shock. The notion that we, who believe ourselves to be inclusive, had failed to convey our acceptance of faiths of ALL types. Yes, we simultaneously believe that imposing religious beliefs in law is anti-American. A sentiment she agreed with. But far too many of us bad mouth Christianity as an evil monolith. It has become so commonplace that the notion that "we" hate all Christians has become part of our "brand" in a way that alienates people who would be natural allies. It is incredibly damaging. Somehow we need to detangle our opposition to Christian Nationalism from our acceptance of Christianity -- and every other faith or non-faith out there.

That's just one example.

Anyway, the bottom line is that I think that we, as a party, do need to do a little soul searching and listening and asking genuinely curious questions when faced with one of "them."

link:

|