POV: Come Heal or High Water - Cause Communications

Well, it’s finally over. No matter how you felt about the candidates or whom you supported, we’re pretty sure everyone is glad that the worst, ugliest election cycle in recent memory is behind us.

Now that Election 2016 is history, no doubt there is work to be done on the causes we care about most. But we also think it’s important to stop and think about how much we, as Americans, share. We’ll spare you clichés about everyone wanting a brighter future for their children (which is of course true), but suffice it to say that much more still unites than divides us. And ultimately, we have to find ways to work together, live together and realize our common dreams and ambitions together.

Before we can do that, we need to heal. At HCC we believe strongly that everyone shares a responsibility to bridge the enormous chasms that, truth be told, have always existed in the United States, but that have newly been laid bare through this election. That’s why, in the spirit of healing, we offer five steps we can all take to begin to find commonality, trust and ultimately hope for a better nation and a better world. After all, that really is what we all want.

1) Reach across the aisle. It goes both ways and we can’t solve any persistent problems without all sides doing their part.

2) Practice understanding and tolerance instead of demonizing those who think differently than we do. The country is divided because we have real problems. We need to get out beyond our usual circles and learn why others feel the way they do.

3) Stay constructive and positive. Posting/sharing/supporting ideas that just insult or belittle is never helpful. And rarely if ever has anyone changed his or her views as a result of a Facebook or Twitter post attacking what they believe.

4) Find the commonalities. Families. Pets. Activities. We are so much more alike than we are different.

5) Support the leaders who are bridge builders and are adept at conflict resolution. Better yet, “be the change” — become those kinds of leaders ourselves.

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