Voices from the Divide: Exploring the Path to National Unity After Political Violence
On July 13th 2024, former President Trump narrowly escaped death when a bullet grazed his head and struck his ear during a presidential rally in Butler, PA. As the nation grappled with the aftermath of this assassination attempt, the political landscape was thrown into even greater turmoil. In an effort to understand the broader implications of this event, we turned to the voices of everyday citizens. Using Engage, our AI Conversation Interview platform, we conducted in-depth interviews with 80 participants across the political spectrum. We explored their perspectives on political polarization, national unity, the potential for compromise, and how their views may have shifted in light of the recent events. While pervasive discourse emphasizes division in the United States, our goal was to uncover whether this polarization truly mirrors public sentiment or if there is, perhaps, a deeper desire for unity. Below, we share some of the insights from these interviews.
Navigating Political Polarization:
A Mother’s Perspective on Future Generations and National Unity
41 White Woman, Democrat, Somewhat Liberal
The Impact of Misinformation and the Role of Leadership in National Unification
39 Black Man or African American, Democrat, Very liberal
Finding Common Ground:
Bipartisan Solutions and the Importance of Character in Politics
57 White Man, Independent, Somewhat Liberal
Environmental Policy and the Struggles of Political Cooperation
52 Black Woman, Democrat
Concerns Over Democracy:
The Effects of Political Violence and the Need for Unity
31 Asian Man, Democrat, Somewhat Liberal
Urban Development and Bipartisan Infrastructure: A Path to Reducing Political Conflict
35 White Man, Democrat, Very Liberal
The Dangers of Cancel Culture and the Loss of Civil Discourse
55 White Woman, Republican
Balancing Compromise and Core Beliefs in the Quest for National Unification
36 Black Woman, Democrat
Frustration with Political Gridlock: The Call for Bipartisan Cooperation
40 White Man, Republican
Striving for Unity: Addressing Extremism and Protecting Marginalized Communities
23 Asian Woman, Democrat
