Heal the Divide
On this page, we have gathered resources specific to addressing political division, whether it be amongst family members, friends, colleagues, or neighbors. We include here organizations and initiatives devoted to countering disinformation.
“The world has never had a good definition of liberty, and the American people, just now, are much in need of one. We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing.
“With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name — liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names — liberty and tyranny.
“The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as a liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty, especially as the sheep was a black one. Plainly the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of the word liberty.”
— Abraham Lincoln, an address at a Sanitary Fair, Baltimore, April 18, 1864
Organizations Devoted to Dialogue
Acumen Academy
“Our mission is to unleash a new generation of social innovators and leaders with the determination and grit to build a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. At Acumen Academy we define success not on how the privileged fare but on how the poor, vulnerable and the earth are treated.”
Better Arguments Project
“A national civic initiative created to help bridge divides – not by papering over those divides but by helping Americans have Better Arguments. In this sense, arguments don’t have to drive us apart. Better Arguments can bring us together. In partnership with communities and advisers around the country, we have synthesized three dimensions and five principles of a Better Argument.”
Braver Angels
“Braver Angels seeks to depolarize American politics. Our work is rooted in grassroots organizing. From the grassroots however, our volunteer leaders (supported by a small staff) leverage Braver Angels programs and unique organizing structure to impact community life and American institutions. The root of our organizing […] begins in the transformation of our attitudes towards each other. The foundation of all our activities is what we refer to as patriotic-empathy: the idea that our love for our country is shown by our concern for our fellow citizens.”
Center for Courage & Renewal
“For 25 years, the Center for Courage & Renewal has transformed individual lives, connecting people with one another and empowering diverse communities. We do so by offering retreats and programs, consulting, online resources, team coaching, customized consulting, speaking presentations, and program series, all delivered through our global network of Courage & Renewal Facilitators.”
Street Epistemology
“Street Epistemology is a conversational tool that helps people reflect on the quality of their reasons and the reliability of their methods used to derive one's confidence level in their deeply-held beliefs.”
Resources Specific to Countering Disinformation
Countering Truth Decay
A RAND initiative to restore the role of facts and analysis in public life.“RAND is studying ‘Truth Decay’—the diminishing role of facts and analysis in American public life. As a nonpartisan institution that seeks to advance the public good through research and analysis, RAND is concerned about the threat Truth Decay poses to evidence-based policymaking. We invite fellow researchers and engaged stakeholders to join our efforts to find solutions.”
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NOTE: Hold the Line Unite has developed a two-page Guidelines for Countering Disinformation. See also the blog post from November 23, 2020, In Pursuit of the Justice of Truth.
How can we inoculate against disinformation? Perhaps the first step is to consider the following definitions (from “Issues in Counter Deception,” by Sami Saydjari, January 2020):
• Misinformation: unintentionally incorrect information
• Disinformation: intentionally incorrect information as part of deception
• Deception: actions (including spreading disinformation) taken to intentionally mislead
• Information warfare: use of information and information technology to gain an
advantage (includes deception)
• Psychological Operations (PsyOps): action by psychological methods to cause a
planned psychological reaction
• Influence operations: coordinated effort to alter target’s attitudes, decisions and
behaviors toward influencers interests
NOTE: Uncertainty and antipathy are two favored tools in the disruption warrior’s toolbox.
Consider these strategies to counter disinformation include:
• Repeating an idea, even to debunk it, is a bad idea.
• Inoculation may work, but it must come from a trusted source and : (1) Must provide
alternative to non-factual information and (2) the correction must be repeated.
• It may be better to target the credibility of the source of misinformation, e.g., plant
basis of skepticism of source (e.g. conflict of interest)
• Easier fact-checking may help, but distrust in news media is a problem; the news
media needs to actively campaign to regain trust