Free course. One paragraph per day.
We can build trust through better information about each other. Many of us misunderstand the other side because we listen to sources who have a vested interest in dividing us. These sources can include some of our political leaders who attract followers based on aggrieved identities. It can include many members of the media, mainstream and otherwise, who know controversy brings them attention. We do not have to pay attention to people who put words in the mouths of others. Why not let people speak for themselves? Why not listen to them directly? One way to do that is to get to know our neighbors, especially those who are different from us.[i] We can get to know them and let them get to know us.
[i] Ulsaner (2012) observes that integrating people of different racialized or ethnic categories is not enough to build trust – one must form some sort of constructive relationship with them.
Image: Meeting the Neighbors. Unknown.
Excepted from Political Trust & Distrust, Part 2 of 2
