In light of Saturday’s tragic events in Butler County, Pennsylvania, we are committed to remaining peacemakers. We can’t think of any better time than now to Love Anyway.
As we respond to the recent political violence, it’s essential to take proactive steps to foster unity and healing. Here’s a quick checklist of principles to help us stay calm and focused as the rhetoric escalates in the coming hours, days, and weeks, with five actions you can take to help your community move forward:
1. Connect: Reach out and check in with friends and colleagues from all political backgrounds with open hands and care. Building collaboration and a sense of belonging is crucial at this moment. Personal outreach can bridge divides and create a supportive network.
2. Make the choice to lower the temperature/build peace: This is a very difficult moment for America and many of us personally, but we have the choice to turn in a more peaceful, constructive direction rather than isolating or escalating further. This tragedy is an opportunity for us to heal and truly see each other across divides. Encourage your family, friends, and others you are connected with to foster dialogue that promotes patience and calm. Use this moment to open hearts and reach across divides rather than retreating into fear or anger. For more action, consider joining Search for Common Ground’s Peace is Possible pledge or hosting a Love Anyway Feast to build unity in your community.
3. Lead others to do the same: Wherever you sit—in your faith community, in your personal networks, in your organization—promote dialogue that calls for patience and calm, and that uses this moment to open our hearts and reach across divides rather than retreat into our camps in fear or anger. You may not think you have a following, but all of us have a community that we influence, that listens to what we say and how we say it. This is a moment to step up and influence your community toward messages that promote peace and civility.
4. Combat misinformation: How we share information and the meaning we derive from it matters. Information can be used to escalate tensions and alienate others or it can be used to highlight our shared values, beliefs, and identities. Share information with messages that emphasize unity over division, moving toward one another instead of away.
4. Exercise patience: As details of the incident are investigated, it’s important to exercise patience. Remember, we’re all in this together, we belong to each other, and by exercising patience, we can help prevent further division and promote unity.
By taking these actions, you can contribute to healing and unity in your community. Let’s work together to create a future where peace and safety are paramount for everyone. For further information and to stay updated, you can see Common Ground-USA’s statement on our website and social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Feel free to share and spread these messages of unity and peace.
