Bright Spots in 2017: Moments of Unity You May Have Forgotten
These stories remind us that civility, love and even friendship are possible across dividing lines.
After 2016’s tumultuous election season, many hoped America would reunify in 2017. Alas, Democrats and Republicans remain more divided than ever, with far too many viewing each other as immoral and unworthy of friendship.
While 2017 had more than it’s share of discouraging headlines, it also had feel-good moments. It’s important to remember them as we prepare to embrace 2018 and all that’ll come with it.
The Bush Twins Encourage the Obama Sisters
Decent folk agree that regardless of what politicians do to merit criticism, their kids should be off-limits. So many saw it as a breath of fresh air when Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, daughters of Republican President George W. Bush, penned an encouraging letter to Democratic President Barack Obama’s teen daughters, Malia and Sasha.
TIME published the open letter in early January, as the Obama girls prepared to leave the White House.
The Bush twins sympathized with the fact that Secret Service would trail Malia and Sasha throughout their teenage ventures. They encouraged them to “explore your passions,” make “positive change,” and “enjoy college.”
They also identified with the pressure of having parents in the national spotlight.
“You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them,” Bush and Hager wrote. “Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter. And so will we.”
Democrats and Republicans Unite After Shooting
On the morning of June 14, a deranged Bernie Sanders supporter shot up Republicans’ baseball practice ahead of the annual Congressional baseball game. Five people were wounded, including Rep. Steve Scalise.
For a few days, we saw displays of empathy between Democrats and Republicans. Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), Democratic and Republican baseball team managers, spoke together after the attack. What resulted was an important conversation about civility.
Doyle announced House Democrats would host their counterparts for a meal “to share some food and drink and get to know each other a little better.”
Even the bitterest political enemies can forge friendships across party lines.
“When you know somebody’s kid, somebody’s spouse, play baseball with them, you see them at the gym and you talk to them there, it’s different,” Doyle added.
He went on: “When the leadership of this country is civil towards one another, maybe the public will start being civil towards one another too.”
Unsurprisingly, Republicans and Democrats have since jumped back at each other’s throats. (And sadly, Barton was exposed as a serial adulterer in the aftermath of #MeToo. He will not seek reelection.) Still, the tragic shooting revealed that even the bitterest political enemies can forge friendships across party lines.
Republican Philanthropist Launches “Return to Civility” Initiative
In August, philanthropist and Trump supporter Foster Friess encouraged people to take someone they disagreed with to coffee. The idea came from his “Return to Civility” initiative.
The next month, Friess led by example, flying to Missouri to attend church and grab coffee with Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal. The Missouri state senator caused a national stir when she wished for President Donald Trump’s assassination on Facebook. She later apologized.
“While she’s a black Democrat and I’m a white Republican, I love this woman,” Friess told ABC St. Louis. “I am just so taken with who she is as a person.” He also said he wanted to honor her for having the courage to own up to her mistake.
“We should be loving each other and trying to figure out how to respect our differences,” Chappelle-Nadal said of Americans.
Black Lives Matter Leader Speaks at Trump Rally — And Finds Common Ground
Soon after, a moment of civil dialogue occurred between Black Lives Matter and Trump supporters.
It happened when Black Lives Matter showed up to a pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C. Their intention? To protest. But the rally’s organizer, Tommy Hodges, handed them the microphone.
“It’s about freedom of speech. It’s about celebration,” Hodges said. “We’re going to give you two minutes of our platform, to put your message out.”
“Here I went from being their enemy to someone they want to take pictures with their children.”
On stage, Hawk Newsome, president of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, briefly explained his position. While he elicited some boos, his words also met cheers.
Later, he told Now This about his conversations with rally-goers.
“I feel like two sides that never listen to each other actually made progress today,” Newsome said. “Here I went from being their enemy to someone they want to take pictures with their children.”
Former White Supremacist Covers Nazi Tattoos
Later in September, ABC News shared a story about Michael Kent, a former neo-Nazi who covered his “White Pride” and swastika tattoos. He was motivated by an unlikely friendship with his black parole officer, Tiffany Whittier. As I wrote in September, Whittier
would have been completely justified in keeping Kent at arm’s length. She had to do her duty as his probation office, but she didn’t need to invest any more of herself than that in a man like Michael Kent.
After all, he was a violent white supremacist — an ugly reality to which his body itself testified. There were the swastikas for everyone to see. She couldn’t miss the evidence that he hated people like her.
But she befriended him anyway. Now, Kent says he views her as family. “She gave me a chance and it opened my eyes,” he said.
The Same Soul
These are only a few of the encouraging events The Stream reported on in 2017. But they remind us that civility, love and even friendship are possible across dividing lines.
Recently, two pre-schoolers from Miami reminded us of this once again. As CBS reported, Jia Sarnicola, who is white, explained why she and Zuri Copeland, who is African-American, are “twins:” “Because we share the same soul.”
Jia and Zuri’s friendship quickly went viral. In a nation broken by tension, inequality and identity politics, their innocence is a balm.
May God guard Jia and Zuri’s innocence in 2018. And may he help us follow their example, loving and perhaps befriending those different than ourselves.