Listen First Project
Politics is a divisive topic to say the least. One look at the news will show that political discourse in this country has taken a turn for the worse. Through my work with Listen First Project, I have made a commitment to sparking conversation and fostering understanding through disagreement. It is my sincere belief that we can be friends at the ballot box, no matter if we’re red, blue, or anywhere in between.
Myth #1: Agreement is the goal of political discussion
I’m sure you’ve found yourself in this situation: you’re hearing someone tell you about their political views and you just can’t seem to wrap your head around it. How could they believe that? It’s something we all run into. The question lies in how we respond to this. The good news is, if someone is spouting a crazy world view that you could never bring yourself to agree with, you don’t have to! It shouldn’t be expected that we agree on everything. Why have a democracy at that point? The goal instead should be to see where the other person is coming from, and above all understand them.
Myth #2: Empathy is stepping inside someone’s shoes
Though Atticus Finch may disagree, “stepping inside someone’s shoes” is ineffective in the actual practice of listening. This premise puts too much pressure on the listener to do something that isn’t logically possible. The truth is, we can’t step inside someone’s shoes to know how they feel. We can, however, practice what I like to call “Barefoot Listening.”
Myth #3: Seeking common ground in our political climate is a hopeless cause
The Listen First Project has proven this false through events like National Week of Conversation, which seeks to foster a mutual understanding among people from opposite sides of the political spectrum. I’ve witnessed firsthand how barriers have been broken. Despite what you may see on the news, we have more in common than we realize and there’s always hope for cooperation.
How can I get involved?
Visit listenfirstproject.org and take the #ListenFirst Pledge to get started. From there, you can explore the wide array of opportunities for anyone involved in the Listen First Project!