The months-long redistricting battle has ended and now that the dust has settled, we get to look at what we learned. What both sides of the argument for redistricting seemed to agree on is that the future of the republic was at stake. They just had very different views of what that meant.
Both the opponents and the supporters of HB 1032 claimed they wanted to protect our democracy. And both sides had very strong views of what it meant to prioritize Hoosier values of fairness and playing by the rules.
Some conservatives made it clear that they refused to bow down to intimidation. Liberals sought to ensure their voices were heard in the state and nationally.
It’s as if we don’t know how to solve a problem without identifying an enemy who must be responsible for it.
Both sides wanted to be heard, to know their voices and values mattered. But who is doing the listening?
Social media algorithms, partisan blogs and even some news coverage would make us believe that our side is constantly losing and we must be in the fight of our lives to survive.
One of the biggest challenges we are facing is that each side feels like the other side does not hold the same values. And then the incessant battle ensues.
The ongoing battle boils down to the idea that we are playing a zero-sum game, meaning that for one side to win, the other must lose.
However, when we examine what people value, we often find that we have much more in common.
A 2023 study by NORC at the University of Chicago, a nonpartisan research institute, found several key values that Republicans and Democrats had in common:
- A government that is accountable to the people it serves.
- A government that is representative of the people it serves.
- The rule of law is applied fairly and equally.
- The ability to learn from the past and keep working towards improving the future.
- Having mutual respect and compassion for each other despite our differences.
- Personal responsibility and holding yourself accountable for your own actions.
As it becomes increasingly complex to see another person’s point of view, it is challenging to see how we will ever come together to address the issues we are collectively facing, such as housing affordability, rising utility rates and access to health care.
But it does not take a team of researchers to know that most people want a life they can afford, a safe place to live, health and a little money to spare. I think we can agree on that. And in my never-ending optimism, I feel like that may be a good place to start.
Contact Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones at 317-762-7850 or camikej@indyrecorder.com.
Camike Jones is the Editor-in-Chief of the Indianapolis Recorder. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Jones has a lifelong commitment to advocacy and telling stories that represent the community.
