A handful of months ago, the Pikes Peak Bulletin partnered with Rocky Mountain PBS and the El Pomar Foundation to host a screening of “Undivide Us,” a film dealing with the toxic political polarization of our era. The premise of the film is that most people want to find common ground and we would all do well to listen more to one another. It posits that respectful dialogue may not lead to agreement, but it will lead to more peaceful disagreement. Hundreds of attendees turned out to watch the film and participate in small, round-table discussions with other filmgoers.
It was a positive, uplifting, hopeful message – however, my round-table group rapidly found some holes in it.
“So, what do you do when someone says your identity isn’t valid? Or that loving who you love is a sin?” asked one of my tablemates. “How do you listen respectfully and make space for disagreements with someone who wants to take your basic rights away?”
“And how do you have a dialogue when misinformation is rampant and your difference is not one of opinion, but over what the facts are?” I asked.
We had no answers. We affirmed to one another that sometimes there seems to be nothing but a pathless void between worldviews – a lack of common ground on which to build a bridge.
Us vs. Them is a fallacy – it’s just Us.
“Build a bridge anyway,” was my personal takeaway from the film and the discussion that night. Not because it feels good, or is easy, or is even for sure possible, but because the notion of Us vs. Them is a fallacy – it’s just Us. And when big portions of a society forget this, bad things happen. It’s on those of us who care to be the adults in the room, the peacemakers and the bridge builders.
So, the question is now, how do we do that?
Here are some ways the Bulletin will build bridges in the coming months:
1). Expand on our coverage with live events where you can learn more about an issue, and what you can do to be part of solutions. For example, we’ve covered how local advocates are preparing for the effects of recent executive actions around immigration. We envision a public discussion that puts a human face on this issue and informs attendees how they can make a positive difference. Other discussion topics could include LGBTQ+ rights, housing access, veteran support and more.
2). Highlighting people and organizations doing all kinds of good things to spread the message of generosity. We already do this, but we’re ramping it up, and discussing how we will hop on the Infectious Generosity movement that was recently affirmed by proclamation of the Manitou Springs City Council.
3). Continuing to report on local government, public affairs and community events. We’ll continue to keep you informed and connected with meaningful coverage.
Get tickets for our Feb. 21 fundraiser and discussion now
We hope you’ll join us for our Pikes Peak Bulletin fundraiser and discussion at Border Burger (934 Manitou Ave.) starting 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21. Enjoy a meal, hear about what’s going on with your community newspaper and, if you feel so moved, share your thoughts on what you like, what you don’t like, and what you want to see in our pages. Tickets are $25 and go to support the Pikes Peak Bulletin.
