The anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol offers an opportunity for deeply divided Americans to 鈥渘avigate back to a functioning democracy,鈥� writes TC鈥檚 Peter Coleman in an .
A specialist in conflict resolution, the Professor of Psychology & Education and Director of the (MD-CCCR) finds reason for hope in frameworks, such as the non-partisan that has identified over 7,000 organizations and stakeholders seeking common ground in communities across the nation.
鈥淲hen we find ourselves trapped in the riptide dynamics of a deeply polarized community, research suggests it is best to figure out how to work with what is already working in the situation to find a way out,鈥� Coleman writes.
鈥淭hat is, rather than trying to fix the problem with some new idea or program, first find the bright spots 鈥� the people or programs that are already working effectively to mend the divide.鈥�
Coleman calls on moderates on both sides of the 鈥減olitical precipice鈥� to offset the 鈥渘efarious actors (who) are working harder than ever to grab power in a way that could very well trigger the downfall of our democracy.鈥�
鈥淭he survival of our country,鈥� he concludes, 鈥渄epends on it.鈥�
[ on the anniversary of the Capitol insurrection. Read insights from Coleman and Basil Smikle (Ph.D. 鈥�19) on the Capitol insurrection in 2021. Read a story on Coleman鈥檚 latest book The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization.]