Americans appear to have lost the art of good neighborliness. Political polarization has escalated, leading people to view those with differing opinions not merely as mistaken, but as existential threats. Divisions have grown over voting choices and across partisan lines. People increasingly reside in distinct online and media-influenced realities, presenting different facts and histories, which hinders collective problem-solving.
However, the fractures extend beyond political divides. A significant number of Americans report ‘seldom’ or ‘never’ interacting with someone unfamiliar in their community. Fewer than half speak with a neighbor they don’t know well even a few times annually. We are dedicating less time to communal activities than any previous generation. As a result, in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a national health crisis, citing consequences comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Despite this modern reality, the majority of Americans desire an alternative. Recent research indicates that while 28% find political disparities stressful in relationships, majorities from both political spectrums wish to transcend these differences. Specifically, 67% of Democrats and 83% of Republicans prioritize personal relationships over politics.
The issue isn’t an inability or unwillingness to unite; rather, it’s a forgotten capacity to do so. Crucially, this involves engaging in spaces where our shared humanity can be rediscovered.
Re-engaging with neighbors in shared venues—such as community centers, cultural institutions, libraries, and other “civic commons” once ubiquitous across America—must be reprioritized. Significant interactions occur when individuals encounter one another in these environments, fostering opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to connect in ways not feasible online. For instance, in a ceramics studio, individuals who might otherwise never cross paths sit side-by-side, working with the same clay and conversing. In a salsa class, the rhythm unites everyone, and for that hour, the only concern is synchronizing with one’s partner, not their voting choices. It is considerably easier to harbor animosity towards a social media profile than a real-life dance partner.
While such encounters might seem idealistic, they are observed daily at institutions like New York’s 92nd Street Y, and frequently across similar organizations nationwide. These interactions demonstrate not only their possibility but also their striking regularity. When people meet in these neutral spaces, they rediscover each other as human beings, transcending ideological labels.
Consequently, shared spaces are more than mere amenities; they are vital for confronting the existential threat of polarization. Without them, relationships—among both friends and strangers—are largely ceded to social media algorithms engineered to amplify division rather than foster connection. Thus, these venues are not just for recreation; they represent the often-overlooked infrastructure of civic resilience.
However, an alternative path exists.
To forge a better future and a more perfect union, Americans must now commit to civic repair. This entails disengaging from screens, venturing out of our homes, and returning to our civic commons—our community centers, cultural institutions, and libraries. These ‘third spaces’ allow Americans to gather without labels, fostering and strengthening our civic connective tissue.
The appeal of this approach lies in its inherent ease and enjoyment. It simply asks each individual to select an intriguing class, attend a lecture on a topic of interest, engage in physical well-being through activities like spin or yoga, or join others for spiritual enrichment.
Through these straightforward actions, genuine relationships will be forged with our neighbors. In doing so, we will contribute to ameliorating societal issues: one encounter, one ceramics class, and one new salsa partner at a time.