Washington Monthly article says Americans want connection over division

A new Washington Monthly piece by Dr. Gail C. Christopher says a majority of Americans still believe in the country’s ideals, even as many feel those promises are not being delivered in daily life. The article leans on NCHE’s Heart of America survey to argue that Americans want fairness, belonging, and leaders who can reduce anxiety and division.

Why it matters: - A new article says the dominant national story about polarization misses a larger current: most Americans still want connection, fairness, and trust. - The piece argues that this matters not just politically, but for daily life, public health, and whether families feel stable enough to meet basic needs. - The article appears as the United States marks its 250th anniversary, making the question of national identity especially pointed.

What happened: - Dr. Gail C. Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, published an article in Washington Monthly titled "The Heart of America Still Beats for Connection." - The article draws on NCHE’s 4th Annual Heart of America Survey, an online poll of 1,322 adults conducted May 28 to June 3 by veteran pollster Shannon-Janean Currie, CEO of Empirica Advisors. - The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.70 percentage points. - The full article is available here. - Full poll results are available here. - NCHE says its Heart of America surveys are archived at the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.

The details: - Sixty-two percent of Americans say they are proud to be American, down from 72% a year earlier. - Only 36% believe the country is living up to its ideals of freedom, fairness, and equal opportunity. - Fifty-two percent say the American Dream is out of reach. - Eighty-one percent feel pressure from grocery costs. - Seventy-five percent feel pressure from wages that are not keeping pace with the cost of living. - Seventy-two percent feel pressure from health care costs. - Seventy-one percent feel pressure from housing costs. - Elder care is now cited by 53% as a leading source of family pressure, ahead of childcare at 44%. - Eighty-nine percent say the country needs leaders who are "transformers" who can see through labels and political tricks. - Eighty-three percent would support a leader who aims to unite people across disagreements. - Eighty-four percent believe faith, kindness, and empathy can help America overcome differences. - Seventy-one percent remain hopeful that the country can find lasting common ground. - Eighty-five percent say Americans are hungry to belong, connect, and trust one another again. - Eighty-two percent say promoting diversity in the workplace is important to racial healing. - Support for that view includes 74% of Republicans, 79% of Independents, and 92% of Democrats. - Eighty percent say reducing racial segregation in housing matters. - Ninety-two percent support teaching the full history of America, including slavery and racism. - Support for reparations has risen to 56%, up from 46% in 2023. - Christopher points to Martha Raddatz’s book, The Hero Next Door, as an example of stories that can humanize service members and their families. The release identifies Raddatz as ABC News chief global affairs correspondent. - Christopher cites Minneapolis residents who stood with immigrant neighbors during ICE-related violence as an example of community solidarity.

Between the lines: - Christopher frames the public mood as "ambivalent patriotism": loyalty to the country, paired with doubt that the country is honoring its promises. - She argues that the long-running focus on polarization can obscure a quieter but stronger desire for belonging and shared purpose. - The article links constant culture-war messaging to chronic anxiety and fear, and says that dynamic can contribute to illness. - Christopher also argues that discussions of culture wars often avoid naming a deeper historical system that ranked human worth by race. - The survey results suggest that support for racial healing is not confined to one party, even if people may disagree on methods.

What's next: - Christopher says the country needs truer stories about shared humanity, honest education about history, transformational leadership, and cross-sector work on healing. - The article argues that education, public health, media, and technology all have a role in shaping a less divided public culture. - Christopher casts the 250th anniversary as a chance to replace culture war with what she calls cultural peace. - The article closes by calling for civility, solidarity, and fairness as the country’s next national project.

The bottom line: - The article’s core claim is simple: Americans are frustrated and anxious, but they are not done believing in one another or in the country’s promise.