Active Civility in the Age of Hyperpartisanship

Active Civility in the Age of Hyperpartisanship

Morgan A. Johnson

I am observing some amazing things about DC. The pace, the intellect, the food, the fun--the list goes on and on. But the one thing I have to say has shocked me about this city is the level to which folks learn to have civility and active discussions rather than come to a partisan halt. You would think that because this is the heart of fast-paced politicking that this would not be the case. But I marvel the discussions that I have witnessed or been a part of. I really enjoy getting to hear perspectives, and hearing those perspectives challenged and supported by information, clear discussion of values and principles, and consideration of outside perspectives and needs. I am learning to be a more bipartisan and politically diverse person from my colleagues at OMB, mentors, and even my friends here at the residence. I spend a great amount of my time with Avery Pierson (check out our squad pic above-mixtape dropping soon) who is politically my opposite. But she and I have the healthiest respect for service, participation, and the improvement of life in Ohio and in America. We also enjoy a lot of the same things outside of that. It takes me back to when Senator Glenn reflected on his experience in the senate to my Freshman class at the Glenn College and PSL. He told us about dinners that the speakers and presidents of the senate would have, and how they mandated a bipartisan seating arrangement. It seems so simple a thing to do, and yet it made a difference. Having an active, conscious and engaged approach to bipartisanship means all the difference. If I didn't try, I would be missing out on a friend for the trip, and probably a friend for a lifetime. I'm so glad that WAIP has given me the chance to reach across the aisle and outside of my comfort zone.