Following the Homicide of Charlie Kirk, a Question Arises About the Existence of Civil Dialogue in Present times
In a time when the United States finds itself at an inflection point, concerns about further political polarization leading to more violence and the potential tearing apart of families and friendships are prevalent. One philosopher who offers insight into navigating these challenging times is Albert Camus, whose idea of imagining Sisyphus happy encourages people to find joy in the hard work of deliberative democracy.
Deliberative democracy, the idea that decision-making and governance are arrived at through thoughtful, reasoned, and respectful dialogue, is crucial in today's society. However, it's a Sisyphean task that requires citizens to push the boulder of civic life day in and day out, but they should also recognize that as they push, the weight of the boulder will gradually and imperceptibly alter the terrain.
Entering conversations with the goal of simply planting seeds, rather than immediately changing someone's mind, can transform the dialogue into a legitimate conversation. This approach, reminiscent of Charlie Kirk's approach to college audiences, where he challenged students to "change my mind," can lead to a more productive exchange of ideas.
Cultural theorist Lauren Berlant describes political debates as moments of "cruel optimism," where people believe they are doing good but are met with feelings of futility and frustration. In such situations, it's essential to listen to others, not just speak, and to be attuned to their life experiences and ideologies.
Scholar Krista Ratcliffe's concept of "rhetorical listening" involves entering into dialogue from a position of curiosity, with a willingness to learn and grow. This approach can help in conversations with people whose views differ from our own, transforming potentially contentious encounters into opportunities to model dialogue about values with loved ones or to push back against transphobia.
The author contends that a big stumbling block that prevents the U.S. from tackling its biggest problems is the fantasy that people's minds can be easily changed. Instead, they propose strengthening local community ties, promoting civically engaged education, and encouraging decentralized political participation to reduce political polarization in the United States.
Examples of racial flash points in the U.S., such as the arrest of Henry Louis Gates in 2009 and the murder of George Floyd, highlight the need for these changes. Politician and pundits have emphasized the importance of civil discourse following these incidents, with figures like Utah Gov. Spencer Cox calling for an "off-ramp" to political hostilities, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom releasing a statement condemning political violence.
The author's forthcoming book, "Rules for Reactionaries," explores language strategies used to advance white supremacy and anti-feminism. Meanwhile, Turning Point USA, an organization co-founded by Charlie Kirk, has hosted the Professor Watchlist, an online database that has generated harassment campaigns against professors since 2016.
In conclusion, navigating difficult conversations and reducing political polarization requires a shift in mindset. Instead of focusing on immediately changing others' views, we should aim to plant seeds, listen, and learn. By strengthening local community ties, promoting civically engaged education, and encouraging decentralized political participation, we can work towards a more productive, respectful, and inclusive democratic process.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
