Across our communities, regions, states, we are witnessing increased anxiety, much of it related to an increase in a perceived “Other.” The 2016 election is a crystallized version of this, one with major consequences that we are witnessing unfold daily. Tapping into it can take us in two directions: towards breaking where we turn inward, only to what we know and who we know. This path leads ultimately to a politics of isolation. The other direction is bridging, where we turn outwardly to connect and explicitly work with other groups and seek ways to build common ground. This path ultimately takes us towards belonging and empathy.
