I Have No Special Talent, I Am Just Passionately Curious~ Albert Einstein
Curiosity Is Good For Democracy
We live in a time where certainty is the predominant currency of political discourse and curiosity is a lost art. When truth is inconvenient for the politically powerful, activists may think that certainty and facts are antidotes to the lies and misinformation. However, our penchant for certainty must be tempered by a discipline of curiosity. Curiosity can open doors and expand one’s mind. Certainty—not so much.
Did You Know:
Experts in authoritarianism have been warning us for years that our democracy is fragile and is backsliding. Most people who are paying attention can see with their own eyes that the current President and his faithful acolytes have successfully consolidated power and hijacked the other two branches of our constitutional republic. Congress and the judicial branch now serve ‘at the pleasure’ of the one who sits in the gilded, gold studded Oval Office on Pennsylvania Avenue. The constitutional mandate for three co-equal branches of governance has no purchase with this current regime. We are suffering under a President and his cabinet who lead by grievance, retribution, cruelty, propaganda and fear. These warnings are being sounded across multiple platforms and civic groups.
The current president and his MAGA posse peddle their own certainty. They force feed the country daily messages of propaganda and lies. They sugar coat their draconian economic, domestic and immigration policies as being ‘good’ for everyday citizens. They traffic in racism, misogyny, revenge, fear and revisionist history. Their messages are ubiquitous and everyone who wants to stay in good favor of the leader sings off the same song sheet. “Prove me wrong” is their anthem.
Why It Matters:
Many Americans are aware, in varying degrees, of both versions of what’s happening. Many find both versions equally unappealing or off putting. Most people live somewhere in the middle of these two perspectives. Most people don’t wake up in the morning with politics on their mind. They go about their everyday lives aware that there is a lot going on and that things seem unsettled and uncertain. They know prices are rising, the economy is taking a downturn, there is a teacher shortage, hospitals are closing, vaccines have become political; but for many people it’s difficult to make sense of what is happening. If they don’t see themselves as an activist and are not one of the red hat wearing MAGA base, what is their understanding of what it all means? They may be the folks you hear saying, “I don’t pay attention to politics these days,” or “I’m not a political person.” What they really may be saying is that there is no room for them in either conversation. Let’s invite them in!
If we are to reverse the tide of this hostile takeover of our beloved democracy by billionaire bullies drunk on the doctrine of white Christian Nationalism, we must build a broad based, multi-racial, multi-generational, multi-class pro-democracy coalition. We will only be able to do that if each and every one of us are willing to reach out to our family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and strangers with a little less certainty and a lot more curiosity. We need to invite them into a conversation, and listen to how they are making meaning of all that is happening. As Emily Dickinson said:
Tell the truth but tell it slant—Success in Circuit lies. Too bright for our infirm Delight, The Truth’s superb surprise. As Lightening to the Children eased, With explanation kind, the Truth must dazzle gradually, or every one (sic) be blind.
Let’s be clear. There is a ‘base’ that belongs to a fundamentalist, regressive and radical version of Christianity who whole heartedly sees the world divided into good and evil. Anyone who is not one of them is evil. I am not talking about this group. They are a minority of Americans who co-conspire to break our democracy and replace it with a theocracy. “Shake the dust from your feet” and walk away is the only thing to do.
What Can We Do:
I have taped the title quote from Albert Einstein onto my bathroom mirror as a reminder. It’s a good way to start the day. Let’s become more skilled at asking great questions, and listening to understand—not just for an opening into the conversation so we can jump in and make our point. Let us begin to see one another with new eyes, and listen with the ‘ear of heart’.
Here are a few resources to help:
Red, Wine & Blue hosted a Zoom workshop sponsored by MindBridge on how to Bridge Divides and Make Connections. The presentation is amazing and very practical. Download their slides and pay special attention to the HEAR process of deep listening and conversation with those with whom you may differ in politics and opinions. It is a great tool!
Red, Wine & Blue also hosted a video Zoom with Heather Cox Richardson on How To Save Democracy that is filled with hope and great advice.
H4D has created in collaboration with others a Conversation Guide and Movie Discussion Guide to help with connecting and conversations.
In times of uncertainty and fear, we naturally move into an ‘us and them’ way of seeing the world. It’s important to stay focused, centered and certain of what we love most while remaining open and curious to all those who are with us in this difficult time. We truly are all in this together.
Passionately Curious,
Debbie & your H4D Team!
Stay curious my friend. 🧡 That is the only way we defeat authoritarianism and fascism. We are all in this together! 💙