What is Courageous Citizenship?

A guest post from Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels

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One of the themes of this Substack, and our book, Beyond the Politics of Contempt, is exploring ways in which we can connect across differences. For the start of the New Year, it seems timely to reflect with our new CEO of Braver Angels about the organization’s mission. Braver Angels is a national non-profit organization that brings reds (conservatives) and blues (liberals) together, envisioning a America where courageous citizenship is the honored norm, renewing civic culture and building trust across political differences.

The mission of Braver Angels is to inspire and equip Americans to practice courageous citizenship across political differences through skill-building, convening, and collaborative action.

But what exactly is Courageous Citizenship?

Hundreds of Braver Angels members responded on a recent call with their take, including:

“It is to be true to who you are and whatever it is you believe while at the same time striving to understand the beliefs of others who have different beliefs, grounded in the reality that we aren’t divided by our beliefs but, instead, are united in exchanging them.”

“Being honest about your perspective on the issue while holding genuine care for those who have other perspectives.” and

“Finding the courage to engage rather than complain and point fingers.”

Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles describes Courageous Citizenship as choosing connection over contempt. It is the space between silence and outrage. Own your viewpoints with passion, but refuse to let the outrage cycle run your life. Be the builder of a healthy society instead of a consumer of political chaos.

Courageous Citizenship is the choice to step out of the outrage cycle, actively connect with people across differences, and work locally to find constructive ways to heal division and build together.

Courageous Citizenship has A DO, and a DO NOT:

DO NOT take the bait (think about those conflict entrepreneurs, who stir up discord for power or profit)

This sly crocodile, featured in Beyond the Politics of Contempt, is getting ready to chomp on the American Flag.

Instead, DO the hard work of self-government. This can include working with others at the local level through citizen-led solutions - which helps communities break free from polarization and gridlock by building trust, forging common-ground solutions, and following through to real results. This process is designed to be accessible and led by citizens themselves.

Convening in community gatherings, debates and workshops where we find common ground, and skill building, where we practice how to listen with curiosity and respect to others AND state our own truths, are other examples of Courageous Citizenship.

“Be the one to step across the divide. Courageous Citizenship is using curiosity, not contempt, to honor every American and get things done together.”

Here’s one more hopeful and empowering definition of Courageous Citizenship from a Braver Angels member—

“It is remembering that every act of connection, every repair, every moment of humility is an investment in the country we share.”

We hope you are as inspired by Courageous Citizenship as we are.

You can register to receive Braver Angels emails, or join as a member, using this link.

If you have been enjoying our posts, be sure to check out previous articles at https://togethernow.substack.com/archive.