We don’t want to live in a society in turmoil. In fact, 93 percent of people in the US want to reduce divisiveness, and 86 percent believe it’s possible to disagree in a healthy way. Yet with increasing political and social fragmentation, many of us don’t know how to move past our differences. Civil rights scholar john a. powell presents an actionable path through “bridging” that helps us communicate, coexist, and imagine a new story for our shared future where we all belong.
With inimitable warmth and vision, powell offers a framework for building cohesion and solidarity between disparate beliefs and backgrounds. Bridging is more than a discrete list of actions to follow—it’s a mindset we can develop to help us foster belonging and connection. Key elements of the bridging mindset include:
Understanding how deeply “othering” shapes our world, priming us to see difference of any kind—race, gender, political orientation, etcetera—as a threat
Identifying where “breaking” happens, when people are excluded or treated differently for being perceived as other
Embracing “belonging” as one of our core human needs—we all want to feel seen, valued, and appreciated just as we are
Committing ourselves to treat all people like they belong
Allowing ourselves grace when we inevitably fall short—and resolving to try again
Throughout the book, powell shares personal reflections as well as practices to help you begin bridging wherever you are—in your community, friendships, family, workplace—even with those whom you might never have imagined you could find common ground.
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