Pt. 5) Building Bridges: The Independent Media
You are standing on a ledge, overlooking a vast canyon shrouded in mist, the distance to the other side is unknown. With no other options but to press forward, you contemplate what the most appropriate path is. Should you descend into the unknown depths, navigate through potential dangers, and ascend to the other side? Do you attempt to build a bridge and hope that its length and support structures are enough to carry you across. This dilemma mirrors the dilemma of the independent movement: what lies beyond a two-party system and what path do we take to get there?
As modern Americans, we inhabit a society that is shaped by customs and systems that predate our existence. Our education system, designed by minds for a society that is long past. We absorb and learn about histories and events in which we played no part. Dream about lives and future worlds that exist beyond our lifespan. So while our lives have individual meanings, the question arises: what role can we, as modern Americans play in reshaping the customs and systems of todays society?
“At our core, we humans are tribal......Perceived similarities of status and values make it much more likely that we will connect and form lasting bonds with our fellows. ”
I hesitate to provide any definitive answer to this question, as I hold firm to the belief that each individual possesses a unique perspective on life and contributes uniquely to society. However, within every generation, there exists an underlying connection that binds individuals together, forming a cohesive chain. Humans are inherently tribal beings, and collective thinking wields tremendous power when mobilizing for change. This shared passion for change serves as our catalyst, evident in the growing discontent with our political system, where the bonds of solidarity are visibly coalescing.
A recent Gallup poll revealed that approximately 63% of Americans express the need for a third political party. While I'm no mathematician, that seems like ample momentum to kickstart the establishment of a three-party system. However, the real challenge lies in connecting the dots between various organizations within the bridging movement and laying the groundwork for this transformation. Storytelling emerges as a crucial component in effecting this change. To foster a three-party movement, we must overhaul the prevailing narrative that stifles our imagination of what's achievable. Growing up in a two-party system, Americans have been conditioned to demonize the idea of voting for third parties. Moreover, navigating centrist ideals has become increasingly arduous amidst polarizing media narratives that dull our critical thinking and perpetuate a divisive "us versus them" mentality.
Bridging this divide necessitates a profound shift in storytelling and the mobilization of independent media sources to disseminate this message widely. Currently, the majority of news outlets are owned by a handful of billionaires, resulting in a conflict of interest between journalistic integrity, and profitability. As the American singer-songwriter and poet Jim Morrison wisely remarked, "Whoever controls the media, controls the mind." It's evident that when our choices are confined to just two options, the narrative becomes hijacked to serve the interests of those with money and power.
How can independents leverage story-based strategies to garner more support, foster a unified movement, and reshape American politics? As a fervent independent, I hold a steadfast belief in the potential of a three-party system, even though the knowledge of how to accomplish this remains uncharted territory in America. Yet, building a movement isn't solely about the "how"; it's about the "why." The why of this movement is imperative to safeguarding the future of the American experiment, particularly given our current challenges.
The bridging movement with a national strategy has the potential to serve as the backbone of an independent movement, championed by a network of media outlets committed to cutting through partisan noise. Initiatives like Divided We Fall, New America, and Righteous Media are instrumental in amplifying this message and facilitating meaningful change.
However the overwhelming nature of contemporary news consumption exacerbates the problem, with media outlets catering to specific audiences, resulting in the formation of echo chambers that stifle exposure to opposing viewpoints. Mainstream news networks, by employing "opinion hosts" rather than journalists, further contribute to this polarization, abdicating responsibility for the content they disseminate. Social media compounds these issues by creating an environment rife with misinformation, driven by algorithms designed to maximize user consumption. While the bridging movement does not offer immediate solutions to these challenges, its content focuses on educating the populace about the societal pitfalls engendered by media manipulation and misinformation and providing a bipartisan approach to conversations and issues.
While the red versus blue divide in American politics has inflicted considerable harm on the fabric of society the bridging movement stands as a beacon of hope, striving to mend these divisions through concerted efforts to reform elections, foster civil discourse, and ensure equitable access to the ballot box. By addressing the root causes of polarization and advocating for meaningful change, this movement endeavors to create a more accessible and participatory democracy for all Americans. Independent Media must find its voice and continue to promote an unfiltered but unbiased truth on our current state of affairs to help educate the voters and guide them towards understanding their power over the institutions that govern us.
But will it be enough.
