Post-election sanity

This op-ed will be published the day after Election Day. Once the results are known — and regardless of who is elected to the White House — there’s a good chance that approximately half of you will be elated with the outcome, while the other half feel despondent. Such is the nature of our current political climate in America.

And yet, despite our country’s growing polarization, there’s much that leaves me hopeful about the future – particularly when it comes to life in Sisters Country. So on a day when many are feeling anxious, here are a few reminders to help you stay optimistic.

1. We’re not as divided as we think. According to research conducted by the nonpartisan nonprofit More in Common, Americans have a tendency to perceive the “other side” of the political spectrum as much more extreme than it actually is. Turns out that on most issues, the majority of us are more closely aligned with folks across the aisle than we are with those on the far end of our “own side.” Don’t believe me? Take the quiz at http://www.perceptiongap.us to see how your views of polarization line up with where we really stand.

2. Social media and cable news don’t reflect reality. These platforms make money by selling ads. To sell ads, they need to maximize your “time on screen.” To keep your attention, they have to show increasingly eye-catching, often fear-inducing content. That means the content we consume tends to represent the worst – not the best – of humanity. It’s great to remain informed, but take your media with a grain of salt. Better yet, intentionally seek out sources that try to represent a variety of perspectives (such as http://www.allsides.com ) or prioritize uplifting content (I like “goodnews movement” on Instagram).

3. Food is an amazing bridge builder. Through my work I’ve found that nothing brings folks together and mends divides like a hearty meal or a tasty pie. We all gotta eat, after all! And it’s a lot harder to be a jerk when we’re hanging out in person. So if you’ve got the post-election blues, try organizing a block party, hosting a potluck, or baking sweets for a neighbor. Need some help getting started? C4C is offering $150 stipends to folks who host neighborhood gatherings. Visit http://www.citizens4community.com/1000-picnics to learn more.

4. We can disagree without being disagreeable. Respectful debate is a cornerstone of our democracy. But it’s increasingly easy to insulate ourselves from ideas and perspectives that make us uncomfortable. And when we are confronted with differing opinions, human nature causes us to assume the worst intent from others while giving ourselves the benefit of the doubt. Civil discourse takes practice, and structure! C4C has created tool cards offering nine “terms of engagement” to help keep conversations constructive. Appropriate everywhere from the Thanksgiving dinner table to a City Council meeting, you can download your own at http://www.citizens4community.com/resources.

5. What happens “out there” doesn’t have to happen here. Sisters is by no means Pleasantville, and we can’t wall ourselves off from broader political and economic forces at play. But one of my favorite things about our community is that most of us don’t wear our politics on our sleeve. Each day I’m blessed to meet and work with people who care deeply about the wellbeing of folks in our community and are actively working to make it a better place…and I have no idea who they voted for. I’ve seen this community rally around grieving families, homeless veterans, struggling businesses, and vulnerable children, all without even considering where they stand on the political spectrum. So when the news makes you feel like giving up, try giving back instead. There are over 50 nonprofits registered in our zip code, many with open volunteer opportunities (check out http://www.citizens4community.com/resources to view them all).

I know the world can feel crazy. But you all are pretty awesome. Together, we can do hard things, and make Sisters Country a shining light for other communities.

Kellen Klein is the executive director of Citizens4Community, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to foster a connected community in Sisters Country through civility, collaboration, and civic engagement. Learn more at http://www.citizens4community.com.