By Ming Lowe
Is a “civic virus” affecting our civic health? To explore this concept and more, for Neighborhood Associates’ ongoing Public Kinship Conversation Series, President Bobby Austin spoke with Rich Harwood, Founder and President of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation.
Civic Virus: Why Polarization Is a Misdiagnosis was prepared by the Institute in partnership with the Kettering Foundation. The report delves into the discoveries made when talking with focus groups across the country.
Regardless of their background, focus group participants desire many of the same outcomes for themselves and future generations. A sense of a common culture emerges, as does a common civic culture which values shared norms and leadership. Love of country can be an evolving endeavor, not a static definition from centuries ago.
Rich observes that the false notion of polarization serves “as both an explanation and an excuse for inaction.” Some people are even retreating to the edges of society. Some of them take – and act on – extreme views.
The noise of negativity from politicians, pundits, news media and social media can be engulfing, disorienting, confusing, and distracting. To help deal with this, research has shown that people can feel better when they reach out in kinship towards one another, especially in local communities.
Rich shared information beyond the recent survey of the pulse of the country. Rich draws on research conducted across the United States over the past three decades, interviewing a diverse array of people about their lives, concerns, politics, and community life – in true Public Kinship spirit. He concludes that we have a lot more in common than sources may tell us and more similarities among our neighbors and fellow community members than we may think.
Despite signs of some progress as people came together during the pandemic, many people feel adrift and unconnected with other people. What can reverse this trend? How do we get regrounded? How can we “turn outward” to rebuild civic culture and civic faith and repair the fault lines? Harwood and Austin believe that we can come together and restore – and deepen – belief in ourselves and one another. Their Public Kinship Conversation is an example of a step in the right direction.
Both Rich and Bobby focus on what unites, rather than divides. The conversation touched on topics such as the shared concerns, shared culture, common culture, patriotism, and the “public square” in America today. They encourage people who may have become disoriented and isolated to step back into the public square and find shared values and common ground.
Both thought leaders find value in co-creation and the imagination of individuals and organizations who visit the public square. Empowering local community members to take action is an approach at the heart of the work of both Public Innovation and Public Kinship.
There is hope and a way to improve the nation’s civic health. Indeed, because of our global interconnectedness and interdependence, the speakers and participants alike seem excited about continuing to expand the work worldwide.
To access the recording, visit NAC's YouTube channel.