Healing Divisions: Pennsylvania's Approach to Bridging Gaps

Five years have passed since the events of January 6, 2021, a day that shook the nation with political violence. This anniversary prompts a crucial question: How have we evolved since then? The answer lies in the efforts of local leaders, particularly in Pennsylvania, who are working tirelessly to mend the divides in their communities. In recent years, civil discourse has become increasingly challenging, marked by incivility and hostility. Pennsylvania has not been immune to this trend, with incidents such as an assassination attempt in Butler County two years ago and an attack on the Governor’s Residence last year. These events highlight the urgent need for dialogue and understanding. The Pennsylvania Municipal League, in collaboration with Search for Common Ground, has been at the forefront of this effort. For the past three years, they have been bringing together leaders from various sectors, including public service, faith-based communities, agriculture, business, law, and non-profit organizations. Their goal is to foster local cohesion and build collective resilience. One notable initiative was a webinar held in November, which focused on the assassination attempt in Butler County. This event drew a record number of participants, underscoring the growing concern about political violence in local government. The webinar provided resources and best practices for handling crises, offering practical solutions in a straightforward manner. Local government officials are acutely aware of how closely these issues can hit home. They witness the impact on their families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Despite the divisions, they recognize that there is more that unites them than separates them. Everyone shares common aspirations: safe streets, good schools, clean parks, and a desire to leave the world better than they found it.Nationwide, nearly 80 percent of Americans view political violence as a serious problem, with 87 percent feeling exhausted by it. In Pennsylvania, a significant majority of residents want to bridge divides and transform conflict into collaboration. This collective desire for unity is a powerful driving force behind the efforts to heal and rebuild. Two months ago, the Pennsylvania Municipal League participated in the annual City Summit in Salt Lake City. There, they learned about the Dignity Index, a tool developed by Project UNITE. The Dignity Index aims to prevent violence by promoting dignity and respect in all interactions. It ranks responses from 1 to 8, with 1 representing complete rejection of a person’s value and 8 signifying the treatment of everyone with dignity, regardless of differences. The Dignity Index, available online at www. dignity. us, includes a scoring guide that explains the differences between each level. The tool encourages people to approach disagreements with curiosity, listen to understand rather than respond, and challenge ideas without attacking individuals. By fostering a culture of respect, the Dignity Index helps to ease tensions and solve problems. The Pennsylvania Municipal League is committed to amplifying the Dignity Index and invites everyone to explore it. They will continue working with mayors, council members, township supervisors, and others to promote respectful interactions and reduce hostility in all areas of public life.