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February 07, 2012 |
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Why RedBlue? “Democracy requires space for compromise, and compromise is best won through acknowledging the legitimate concerns of the other.”
- Daniel Yankelovich, Christian Science Monitor, 2004 95 percent agree with the statement: “Our country is strongest when it is united and together and therefore we need to find common solutions to our problems that both Democrats and Republicans agree with.” - Aspen Institute Survey, July 6, 2006 |
About RedBlueWhy RedBlue? Surveys consistently reveal that most Americans hold nuanced perspectives on many issues. The majority is uncomfortable with today’s online political culture, where debate over our policy differences so often ends up in polarized name-calling and demonization. In this regard, citizens are underserved and disempowered, and the integrity of the political system is undermined. While the RedBlue project begins with the familiar labels that have so often pigeonholed Americans into uncomfortable stereotypes—“red” vs. “blue,” “conservative” vs. “liberal”—participants in the RedBlue process will be able to connect with counterparts whose contrasting views are as subtle as their own, re-introducing a middle ground of public discourse where there is room for reasonable people to disagree. The RedBlue idea was born after the 2004 election, when both Democrats and Republicans were surprised that so many could be on the “wrong” side, and concluded that “they” must be stupid, or out of touch. In researching this phenomenon, we learned that many of us talk about issues with people who already agree with us, re-circulating the same ideas within our own communities. We often take our cues from favorite media outlets, where opposing TV sound bites pass for honest dialogue, or from partisan information sources like talk radio, email lists, and web logs that further polarize the electorate. We found that the public square for political discourse has moved online, and has been captured by extremists and doctrinaire loyalists who allow no deviation from the party line. Although the Internet is well-known for giving people a way to work together, the tools of cooperation were not being used when it came to discussing and debating policy. Yet, As Daniel Yankelovich noted in a much-discussed Christian Science Monitor article at the time, “Democracy requires space for compromise, and compromise is best won through acknowledging the legitimate concerns of the other.” We resolved to find a way to use the Internet’s ability to connect to serve this requirement of democracy. RedBlue aims to help Americans:
RedBlue was created by:InterAct (Internews Interactive)A US non-profit corporation founded in 1998, uses interactive digital technologies to create a broad range of projects that connect Americans with each other at the community level, with their leaders at the national level, and with people around the world. Building on a 20-year history of producing award-winning national and international participatory television programs, InterAct today merges television technology with on-line media tools that allow Americans, acting in their role as citizens, to participate in national policy discourse. See www.citizenschannel.org, for information on the company’s history, projects and Board of Directors.The Public Conversations Project
Founded in 1989, the Public Conversations Project helps people with fundamental differences regarding values, worldviews, and identities to build the trust, understanding, and relationship essential for strong communities and positive action. PCP has worked with organizations, groups, and communities to address differences relating to abortion, the environment, race, class, sexuality and faith, and many others. PCP has collaborated with Beliefnet and Weblab in testing online dialogue. PCP's work has been honored by the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution, American Family Therapy Association, and others. |