Writer, depolarization activist, and former human rights attorney, Erica Etelson, is a committed liberal who works with fellow leftists on how to communicate more effectively with moderates and conservatives across lines of difference. As we hear in this lively and revealing episode, some of her strongest criticisms about style and strategy are aimed at her own side.
We explore what Erica Etelson learned from Braver Angels members and others about how to listen respectfully and passionately across deep political divides without understating or downplaying one's beliefs and ideas. She believes that when liberals ridicule or shame those who they disagree with they lose votes and support for their cause.
Her book is “Beyond Contempt: How Liberals Can Communicate Across The Great Divide”. As co-founder and Board President of The Rural Urban Bridge Initiative, Erica develops strategies to build trust and open hearts and minds in unexpected ways.
“What we want ultimately is better representation of rural people, and better governance, which means having more competitive elections in rural places,” she says. “What we have right now is one party that takes the rural vote for granted, and then another party that's like given up” in many parts of the country “written off” rural voters.
As she was writing her book Erica changed her mind about how to listen to Trump voters. “I think the biggest thing was I was part of the problem.” Erica had been living in a liberal bubble thinking that she could convince the other side that it was wrong. Today she says, “I don’t want to be arguing. I don’t want to be convincing. It’s exhausting. Letting go of that burden of I’m right and I have to convince people to see it my way was liberating.”
Erica wrote recently that while America needs a collective commitment to shared principles such has the rule of law and free speech, the most important value is kindness. “The one thing that’s within each of our individual control is our ability to extend basic kindness and decency to each other.”
Erica Etelson is one of America’s most creative thinkers about the causes and costs of polarization. A former public interest attorney, she brings knowledge of law and policy to her journalism and activism. Her articles have appeared in a range of publications, including The Nation, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, High Country News, Progressive Populist, Alternet, and Truthout. She is a frequent contributor to Substack.
Host Richard Davies has enjoyed a long career as a radio journalist, podcaster and communication consultant. He spent more than four decades as an on-air Correspondent at ABC News. His Substack column is Here Hear!