BREAKING: A Note on Political Violence

Is it more ethical to prosecute your moral beliefs, or to understand people who disagree? Who, exactly, is fomenting polarisation? Who is capable, potentially, of political violence? Is it, perhaps, all of us? Especially those of us convinced we’re doing good? Several months ago, Josh hosted an Uncomfortable Conversations panel event at a black-tie gala in the nation’s capital with the federal member of parliament Helen Haines. This week, Haines was intentionally rammed by a car. She has lost both her legs. The prime minister is trying to soothe a shocked nation by encouraging “people in positions [of influence]… to join in the call to turn [the] temperature down.” Josh knows a thing or two about fostering conversations across ideological divides. In this ad-libbed editorial from New York, Josh argues that telling other people to turn the temperature down is worse than useless. Nobody thinks their own temperature is set too high. Rather, we believe that less passionate people are feckless or corrupt. This points a way forward, towards how we all might participate in creating a more cohesive society. Our thoughts are with Helen, her family and her loved ones. We hope that in some tiny way, this helps.