Polarization prevents healthy debate and learning. Can we change this?

When issues of shared importance — like race, equality, immigration, climate change and crime — most always break along party lines, we should question whether we are hearing the complete and nonpoliticized truth on any of them.

America has moved rapidly down the path of polarization — faster than other nations, according to Brown University. “Affective polarization” causes too many of us to see everything — and everyone — first and foremost through a negative political lens.

The problem is this lens denies us debate and learning and ultimately erodes the fabric of our communities. As local and national legislative votes predictably split along party lines — friendships and community alliances seem to follow suit.