Background
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s word of the year for 2024 is “Polarization,” marking it as the term that most impacted us this year. In the United States, we are increasingly divided—separating from one another to the point where discussing important issues has become a challenge, and feeling more alone despite countless technological means that were supposed to connect us.
One Small Step, a groundbreaking project from StoryCorps, aims to bridge these divides by bringing people together to talk across political lines. This initiative helps ensure everyone feels heard. North Liberty is proud to be one of a select few locations across the country dedicated to integrating this effort into public libraries.
Ongoing Event
In this event, we hope to show how our hopes, dreams, and experiences connect us, making us more alike than different.
By participating, you are playing a crucial role in shaping how this initiative could be implemented in hundreds of other communities in the near future. Your involvement and feedback are invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful for your time and consideration in answering this month’s question.
Thank you for being part of this important journey toward understanding and unity. We look forward to your continued participation and invite you to join us again next month for a new question!
Contribute to this Month’s Question(s) (View Results Below)
One Small Step - North Liberty
Question 2: What do you think most people agree with regardless of political affiliation?
Loyalty to and importance of family.
Having more money and paying less taxes is good.
(Dec 2024)
Question 1: How would you explain to a child your dream for what a more unified country would look like?
News would be reported without opinion or prejudice.
People would allow and listen to each others opinions without anger or dismissing others opinion as not valid.
Clearly respectful and dignified interactions with all people of any color, gender, age. Siimple, good manners and interest toward all.
It would be a country where our leaders who hold the highest offices do not denigrate marginalized populations (immigrants, people who have disabilities, trans folks, etc.) but rather, understand that each person deserves human dignity.
I dream that we’d have a country where everyone was engaged and felt valued. We’d all work hard, and we’d play hard! The country would be much “flatter” and less hierarchical than the U.S today, where there are a few extremely wealthy and powerful people, and millions of poorer people who feel powerless. We’re in this together!
More listening as to “why” each of us forms our identities through the learning & accepting of specific ideas & behaviors. Reminding all that each of us are products of our upbringing & current environments. Intentional listening always must be a key character trait of each of us.
The people of our country would work together to make the United States a better place for all of us to live.
Stressing the importance of finding as much as possible in common with the other people (or at least “something in common”). Acceptance does not always mean adopting the other person’s ideas.
My dream is that one day, we all respect the inherent dignity and worth of every human and that we respect the personal choices others make for themselves, even if they are not choices we would make. I would explain that freedom of religion and speech is our right and privilege and not meant to be weaponized.
I think that we would be better and happier if we could understand that we’re all different, but that everyone’s experience gives them a one of a kind view at an issue. We’re never going to all agree on something, but I dream of a day where we can put that aside work together on issues.