How civil society can heal America's divisions | Opinion
Civil society’s first responsibility is to rebuild the habit of human connection. Division thrives in abstraction. It is easy to demonize “the other side” when the other side is a caricature on a screen. Community organizations can counter this by intentionally creating spaces where people with different views work on shared, tangible goals: mentoring children, ending homelessness, supporting veterans, better care for our older adults, or responding to disasters. Cooperation around practical needs does not require ideological agreement, but it does build trust, which is the foundation of a healthy democracy.
Second, civil society must model a culture of respectful disagreement. Many Americans have absorbed the false idea that disagreement itself is a form of harm. Schools, universities and civic groups should teach and practice civil discourse as a skill – one that can be learned, improved and rewarded. This means setting clear norms: listening without interrupting, arguing ideas rather than attacking people, and acknowledging uncertainty. Over the next three years, organizations that host forums, debates and dialogues should measure success not by consensus, but by whether participants leave with greater understanding and less contempt.
Third, local institutions can help counter the economic and social isolation that fuels polarization. Libraries, community colleges, labor organizations and small-business associations can play a larger role in connecting people to opportunity and to one another. Job training programs, apprenticeships and service initiatives that bring together people across class, race and ideology help restore a sense of shared stake in the future. When people feel economically secure and socially connected, they are less susceptible to fear-based narratives.
Fourth, civil society must take responsibility for information integrity. While social media platforms bear significant blame for amplifying outrage, community leaders, educators and journalists can help citizens develop better habits of media consumption. Teaching media literacy, supporting local journalism, and encouraging people to slow down before sharing inflammatory content are practical steps that reduce the temperature of public debate. Truth alone is not enough; trust in how information is produced and shared is equally essential.
Finally, civil society should reclaim moral leadership. Faith communities, service organizations and civic groups are uniquely positioned to remind Americans of shared values: dignity, fairness, responsibility and care for one another. These values transcend party labels and offer a language that can unite rather than divide. Over the next three years, leaders who speak to these principles without demonizing opponents can help reorient public life away from constant conflict.
A less divided society will not emerge from a single reform or moment of unity. It will be built patiently, locally and relationally. Civil society’s quiet, consistent work may never trend online, but it remains our best hope for restoring a sense of common purpose – and proving that disagreement need not mean disconnection.
Vincent Marzullo served for 31 years as a federal civil rights/social justice director in Rhode Island with the Corporation for National & Community Service. He is a founder of USA Compassion Corps.