| Colin Pascal | The Hill |
Americans have reason to hope that our political culture can change.
Resistance to gerrymandering from leaders like Indiana’s Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R) and Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D), showed that leaders from both parties can withstand pressure and do what’s right. Redistricting won in places like North Carolina and Texas but resistance across the country was more than scattered. Nearly everywhere politicians chose the low road, others put themselves in harm’s way to make a case for fairness.
”Reflective of a positive trend
In academia, universities are beginning to assess the ability of applicants to tolerate diverse viewpoints as part of the admissions process. An increasing number of schools are also partnering with the Constructive Dialogue Institute to teach students how to communicate respectfully and effectively and disagree productively when consensus isn’t possible.
In journalism, new organizations like Ground News and Tangle are joining established outlets to deliver news and opinion from both sides of the aisle.
Glimmers of progress in politics, academia and journalism might not on their own suggest that something is changing for the better, but taken together the subtle shifts are reflective of a positive trend.