President Lincoln, who we celebrate today, delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865. Speaking to a divided nation in the midst of the bloody civil war, Lincoln famously ended his 7-minute speech by inviting his country to adopt the qualities necessary for healing:
Read MoreAt this polarized moment in U.S. politics, the University of Utah and Project UNITE have joined forces to make political and public discourse more productive.
Read MoreOver the last week, our team at the Dignity Index has been asked one question over and over again: “Is treating someone on the other side with dignity a sign of weakness? Isn’t dignity really an excuse for cowardice?”
Read MoreRecent media attention has raised curiosity about the Dignity Index – our eight-point scale that measures how we treat each other when we disagree.
Read MoreDid you know that there’s national Quitter’s Day? Observed on the second Friday in January, it marks the point where 80% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions.
Read MoreLast week while meeting with a group of education leaders in Seattle I heard the same questions I’ve come to expect after a workshop on the Dignity Index:
Read MoreThe devastation caused by the recent fires in Los Angeles has been heartbreaking. The loss of life and property, and the grief that so many are experiencing, remind us of the vulnerability of everything in life.
Read MoreAs we prepare to close the final pages of 2024 – reflecting on successes and disappointments; challenges and surprises – I’m also preparing to close a chapter of my life which began nine years ago. One that has brought me immense growth and satisfaction.
Read MoreIf you’re like me and millions of Americans, you’re on the move for the holidays. I set off last weekend to meet 4 of my 5 children (Sam sadly has to work), their two spouses, my wife, my 4 grandchildren and more than a dozen cousins.
Read MoreAs they do each December, Merriam-Webster recently announced its word of the year. “Polarization” is the selection for 2024, which their dictionary defines as “division into two sharply distinct opposites.”
Read MoreLast week, I had the privilege of attending a remarkable event in Denver—a gathering of civic leaders, religious teachers, and community members. The theme of the gathering was “Repairing the Breach,” a conversation focused on bridging cultural and political divides.
Read MoreI was watching the NFL yesterday and noticed the many causes that players were celebrating with their cleats. I saw the American Cancer Society, and yes Special Olympics, and many others.
Read MoreIt’s almost Thanksgiving. For many of us, that means gathering with family members around the holiday table and talking to relatives who oppose our politics.
Read More“The National Citizens Panel, representing the range of political and cultural viewpoints in the country, has validated a key premise of the Dignity Index,” said Shriver, a co-creator of the Index. “It’s shown that people can get beyond their biases and see the contempt coming from their own side and see the dignity coming from the other side -- and see the value to the country of choosing dignity over
Read MoreTwo years ago, my organization, the Dignity Index, issued a warning to our country: Our national addiction to dehumanizing contempt had reached a point at which the future of the country was at stake. Contempt, not policy differences, our data suggested, is tearing us apart.
Read MoreHere’s one of the biggest paradoxes we face now in the United States – and it’s especially relevant after campaign season:
The use of contempt is rising -- even as unhappiness with contempt is also rising.
“Campaigns are long, challenging tests for all sides,” said Shriver, co-creator of the Index. “Everyone gets hit with attacks at some point, and everyone gets hurt. Positive expressions of goodwill can help the two sides begin to get past the pain of the campaign.”
Read More“The exhausted majority is becoming more exhausted,” said Shriver. “And it’s not just the people in the middle. The partisan wings are weary of contempt too, even when it comes from their own side. As we near the end of the campaign, Americans are starving for politicians who can speak to all voters with dignity and show the rest of the candidates how.”
Read More“The panelists’ scores again show a strong bipartisan agreement on dignity and contempt,” said Shriver. “The comments also show that the panelists can be passionately invested in an issue and still see through efforts to manipulate their emotions and divide them from other Americans.”
Read More“The scores this week show that panelists recognize the presence of dignity or contempt whether they agree with the speaker or not,” said Shriver, a co-creator of the Index. “And the comments support the view that a “dignity strategy” – searching for common interests and values, for example – can be much more appealing to voters than a contempt strategy, which demonizes opponents to energize supporters.”
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