A recipe for cooling down politics and advocacy

By John Paul Lederach
August 15, 2024

"…With our current divides, many people feel forced into choosing sides. We pull back from relationships where even a hint of political difference exists. We consider who said something and whom they associate with to judge the merit of what they said. We talk a lot about those we don’t like. We rarely talk with them. To feel safer, we engage only with people who agree with us…

"Achieving and sustaining an end to armed conflict requires a web of people who, despite their differences, are willing to confront the forces of violence where they live. They suggest a way forward for us.

"First, we need to reach beyond our isolated bubbles. In other places, reaching out frequently started with a few people who had the imagination to take a small risk: They dared to open a conversation with their perceived enemies in their own community. This small step was the start of a meaningful journey.

"Second, we have to rehumanize our adversaries. We must have the courage to confront dehumanizing language and behavior, especially when it comes from within our closest circles… Refuse to belittle others. Stay curious about their lives. Speak about your own deeply held convictions without blame, retreat or demonization."

John Paul Lederach is professor emeritus of international peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame, senior fellow at Humanity United and author of “The Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War.”

About Heart of a Nation

Empowering the next generation of American, Israeli, and Palestinian change-makers to embrace better, together.

אנחנו מכנסים הוגים מובילים, פעילים חברתיים, ומחוללי שינוי לעתיד, אמריקאים, ישראלים ופלסטינאים, המחויבים לשיפור החברות שלהם.

نحن أمريكيون وإسرائيليون وفلسطينيون نبني ونكوّن روابط من أجل التعلم والتفكير والمشاركة معًا حتى نشجع الحلول التقدمية بشأن القضايا التي تهمنا جميعًا.