HELPING CROSS PARTY LINES

In this contentious time for our country, tensions are beginning to rise, divides are growing wider and it has become easier to hate someone who disagrees with you than listen to them. Many persons are demonized for their beliefs by the other side, and the chance for a true discussion where you listen to the other side, not argue with them, is nearly gone.

During these tumultuous days, I took notice of a small group known as Crossing Party Lines. Based in Portland, the group was created by a woman named Lisa Swallow.

Swallow was a moderate Democrat who would often have loud debates with a Republican relative. Both enjoyed the debating but couldn’t really see eye-to-eye. After two days of arguing, Swallow changed her strategy, instead of trying to push her views onto her cousin, she asked questions about his views. While this didn’t change anyone’s mind, it did create an understanding of the other person’s point of view and inspired Swallow with the idea of Crossing Party Lines.

On the front page of its original website – the hub of Swallow’s group is online –a paragraph describes its mission: “All around the country, folks are meeting with people of different political views. We’re breaking bread, sharing our thoughts and perspectives, and reminding ourselves that we’re more similar than we are different. What we’re learning is that we all want the same things: fulfilling jobs, good health, and a safe neighborhood to call home. We simply disagree sometimes about how to achieve these.”

Through the meetings that are held and lightly moderated by Crossing Party Lines, discussions are held on various different topics that are affecting our country today. At the local meetups that I attended, there were people with all different points of view, holding a conversation where people truly listened to each other, and they moved toward a possible solution together.

While there, I encountered the topic of being heard, discussing the difference between being agreed with, being understood, and being heard yet still disregarded. Participants covered a variety of other topics, including U.S. immigration policies, our relationship with China, and making sense of political speak.

It may be easy to point at the other side and call them names for disagreeing with you, but we do have the power to create a dialogue that shows that maybe the other side isn’t as crazy as you thought – they just see the world differently than you do.

If you’re interested in their efforts, check out crossingpartylines.com.