In Defense of Bridge-Building
Plus worthy causes, notable books, favorite concerts, and other thoughts to round out the year…
Two months ago we heard word that Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) was moving a Resolution to end a COVID-era CARES Act provision that has allowed thousands of people in federal prison to spend the end of their sentence on home confinement. If she succeeded, Congress would send more than 3,000 people back to federal prison, even though this home confinement policy was arguably the most successful reentry program in modern American history, with a recidivism rate of less than one percent. Senator Blackburn had already found 26 Republican co-sponsors; three more and she’d have the votes to force a Senate vote, on which many Democrats were looking wobbly. We had no idea where President Biden stood, and had reason to believe people inside his DOJ were fine with the Resolution. Things looked very bleak.
Through a series of emails, calls, zooms, and meetings on Capitol Hill, our coalition got to work. We’ve spent the last three years working closely with a small, bipartisan mix of criminal justice organizations, but we needed extra help on this one, pulling in an additional dozen groups from across the political spectrum. We needed our conservative partners to stop the bleeding, and get at least a couple of Republicans to sow some doubt as to their position. We needed progressive allies to make clear to Democratic leadership and the White House that this was unacceptable. And we needed all hands on deck, really anyone who had a decent relationship with staff or principals, to keep moderate Democrats from breaking en masse in favor of the Resolution. By the end of November, the tide had turned. Blackburn remained stuck on 29 sponsors for crucial days before Thanksgiving. The Biden administration announced its intent to veto the Resolution, which calmed most moderate Democrats. When Congress broke for the holidays, the Resolution was dead.
What made this victory possible was bridge-building and common ground. Same goes for last week’s news that Pennsylvania’s split legislature had passed our Dignity for Incarcerated Women bill, Dream.Org’s the sixth successful state campaign in 2023, out of nine states we worked in. In most of those wins, Republicans and/or conservative groups play an essential part, and in overwhelmingly red places like Mississippi and Kentucky, our only legislative sponsors of consequence were Republicans. These outcomes validated a theory of change I’ve been moving towards for a long time.
In college, when I was at peak left-wing revolutionary, I wrote a typically abrasive op-ed that ended with a flourish about certain politicians burning in hell. One of my early mentors, StarQuest (aka NYC Parks Commissioner Henry Stern), reached out and asked me what I hoped to achieve with such bombastic rhetoric. The truth was that it felt cathartic to write, even fun. (Hunter S. Thompson was a personal hero.) And it would probably get good reviews from my people. But it wasn’t going to expand my reach. Likewise, the political campaigns I worked on, particularly general elections, were zero sum - we needed to demonize the other side to win more votes than them, not build common ground with them.
In 2004, when I was running a phone-bank for a GOTV operation, America Coming Together, I reached an old Nevadan who wouldn’t let me get past the intro. “America coming together? America is falling apart!” Americans have not been getting any closer in the two decades since. And yet, over the years, even as I saw our politics become more angry and divisive, I’ve been continually inspired by the unique constellations of people in all corners of the country willing to work together for a common purpose when the opportunity presents itself. That mindset is in our DNA too.
After my race for Manhattan DA, I went looking for a job in the national criminal justice space that would allow me to work with directly impacted people and help me grow in building criminal justice campaigns that could win anywhere in the country, not just blue cities. I wanted to be more intentional about forging a common ground approach. And as we wrap up 2023, I’ve never been more confident that these two pillars are the right foundation for effective advocacy. (I’ll share more on the other pillar, centering directly impacted people, in a future post.)
Using a common ground approach requires building relationships with people who think differently than you or come from different backgrounds, and in today’s political climate, in which ideology and culture have largely merged, that meant building relationships with Republicans. Here’s the good news: building those relationships has been no different than any other form of organizing! It involves a lot of cold outreach, meeting people where they are, and building trust over long periods of time.
Here’s why it’s valuable for anyone invested in our country’s future to consider this kind of bridge-building:
From a purely electoral perspective, there are Republicans who may be on the fence about voting for Trump. The more culturally isolated they feel from Democrats and the left, the more likely they are to go with him despite their misgivings.
In virtually any combination of electoral outcomes (House/Senate/President), Republicans will retain some levers of power at the federal level, to say nothing of the 20+ states where they control trifectas. We will have to work together at some point if we want to get stuff done.
In a worst case political scenario for those of us on the left, a Republican sweep in 2024, it will be Republicans of conscience who stand between us and the MAGA movement’s most fascistic impulses.
There are also consequences to rejecting a common ground approach for a purely partisan one, mainly that partisanship blinds us.
For example, check out Anand Giridharadas’ remarkable segment on how Trump is actually organizing a movement more effectively than anyone else in America, and how peoples’ venom for Trump has left them thinking they can beat him simply by pointing out how bad he is, rather than building a stronger counter movement. Similarly, I’ve read the reporting around Leonard Leo, the mastermind behind the right-wing Supreme Court. What struck me, and what has always struck me about the rightward shift of the American courts, is that nearly all of the conservative movement’s work to achieve this was perfectly legal, and something the left could have done if it were better organized. Yes, there are corrupt elements involving Justice Thomas, etc., but partisanship can blind us from recognizing that the right was simply more effective than the left at recognizing that the courts are (a) important, (b) political, and (c) movable.
Likewise, following select conservative social media has been revelatory. Just as we consume a lot more bad news about the right than good news about the left, the same is true in reverse. Sure, some of the content is nonsense, but there’s enough substance there to better understand why the left is distrusted. And there are plenty of people on the right looking for answers to real problems that neither party, including their own, has been good at solving. That’s an opportunity!
Let’s also remember that many people benefit from divisiveness - politically, financially, culturally. It’s the primary tool in politics today for fundraising, media attention, and social media clout. When the Democrats held a trifecta in federal government from 2021-2022, getting the left riled up at Republicans was the easiest way to misdirect frustration at their inaction. There are also “influencer” types on the left with no interest in building anything or being accountable to communities that are struggling. Remember the old tech adage, “if you’re getting it for free, you’re the product?” If you are getting outraged by someone, consider whether that outrage is serving them more than it’s serving you.
Setting aside all the strategic reasons to do it, building bridges with people who think differently from you is good from a human standpoint. It’s striking when I talk to Republicans to hear them admit their chaos. They were embarrassed by this year’s Speaker debacle, and don’t know if Mike Johnson is up for the job. They know “drain the swamp” refers as much to some of them as it does to Democrats. Most of them can’t stand the political environment, and would much rather work on policy. And I’m sure talking to me disabused them of some notions they held about lefty New Yorkers or “defund the police”. We have become colleagues, friends, and allies, working more closely together for change than peers who ought to be way more aligned with me on paper. Building bridges is how we break down the worst stereotypes about each other that makes conflict more severe, and collaboration impossible. When it works, it makes wins possible.
For progressives who find working with Republicans and conservatives too distasteful, there are certainly other ways to make an impact. We need leaders who can inspire and set the north star that drives our organizing and political work. For those of us who believe Democrats are better than Republicans on most issues, we do need people focused on straight up winning elections. And of course, there are many, many ways to serve communities that aren’t political at all.
Bridge-building isn’t for everyone. For a long time, it wasn’t for me. But as we round the corner into 2024, we are going to hear a lot of reasons why we should hate the other side. That side is still going to be standing at the end of this election cycle. And in my finite time on this planet, if I want to get things done to help people, whether on criminal justice or any other issue, there are going to be plenty of bridges on the journey ahead.
Nonprofits that can use your support
This year I joined the board of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, a great organization that does both great educational work in our school system and very effective lobbying in Albany for laws that support victims and increase support for violence prevention. NYAGV recognizes that we need stronger communities, not just stricter laws, to make New York safer. I would be most grateful if you could make a donation to New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.
I’m also on the Board of the Restorative Justice Initiative, a local org that builds and connects restorative justice practitioners and supports the expansion of restorative justice practices in New York. I’m a big believer that we need alternative approaches to healing and accountability if we’re going to move past relying on prisons, and RJI helps build that community. This year they are fundraising to support their Youth Advisory Council, so please consider making a donation.
Finally, if you believe in the work we are doing at Dream.Org, you can support our end of year fundraising drive here. At Dream.Org’s Justice program, we pour nearly all of the money we raise into campaigns to disrupt the prison industry, led by directly impacted people, supported by directly impacted staff. Raising money in 2023 was not easy, so every dollar you are able to give will be deeply appreciated.
Book Recommendations
As Cristina can attest, the bedside is a hazardous mound of unfinished books. But I do make it through some of them, and there are a few that I wanted to share with you. By the way, several of these were purchased at the Kinokuniya bookstore on 6th ave, off Bryant Park, which I consider the best curated bookstore in New York City.
The Deluge by Stephen Markely. This mammoth novel tells the story of near-future America through the prism of climate apocalypse, and I was particularly struck by how it challenges whether any of our theories of change are appropriate to meet such a moment. My favorite book of the year. (2023)
A City on Mars, by Kelly & Zach Weinersmith. Highly entertaining and thorough look at the question, can we actually establish human life on Mars, or in space generally? (2023)
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in the Age of Extremism, by Tim Alberta. Have you ever wondered how the religious right got so zealously behind Trump? Alberta, a journalist raised as a Christian conservative, provides a unique window into this world. (2023)
Victory City, Salman Rushdie. Rushdie’s comeback novel post-assassination attempt is a gorgeous and mystical epic set in 14th century India. (2023)
The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber & David Wengrow challenges the commonly understood relationship between “civilization” and centralized authority. I love any good book about early humans, who were much more like us than we care to admit. (2021)
Circe by Madeline Miller. If your first memories of school involved your kindergarten nun having you act out Greek epics then you’ll love Circe. Oh wait, that wasn’t everyone? Still a fun read! (2018)
As honorable mentions I’ll throw in Taylor Lorenz’s Extremely Online, which I have not finished, but has been a delight so far, and James Risen’s The Last Honest Man, about the Church investigations into the CIA. And I should probably mention that American Nations by Colin Woodard remains my #1 recommendation for anyone to understand how America’s early history draws a straight line to its politics today.
Top Concerts This Year
If we’re Facebook friends, you might know that my goal for 2023 was to make it “The Year of Concerts,” and I was fortunate enough to attend 11. While the headliners all delivered: Beyonce, Bruce, and Madonna, I’m going to shout-out three more that really stood out, should people have the opportunity to see them. Guns ‘n Roses were the surprise show of the year for me - yes, they’re a nostalgia act, but they brought it so hard (as did The Pretenders in a stellar opening set), and songs like “Civil War” mean as much now as ever. A Janelle Monae concert isn’t just a musical performance, it’s a vibe I want to immerse myself in. And while Dead & Company swear this is their last tour, they never mean it, so tune in for this transcendent stadium jam experience.
Farewell for now…
Thank you all for reading The Gameplan this year! It was one of my 2023 goals to start this Substack to write regularly about advocacy, and though work sometimes got in the way, I’m energized to have this outlet and community to share it with. Please keep the feedback coming.
I leave for India in a few days, where we’ll spend the next few weeks. Look forward to connecting with you all again in the new year. Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fears.
Ok. All well and good. My first question would be a very simple one: can you actually find people who believe the same facts as you do? such as: that Joe Biden won the last election. Can you find people who share with you a common understanding of the way the world works (such as the physics of global warming)? Can you find people that believe a woman has a right to choice? I am not being facetious. These are real questions. I encounter such extreme opinions and unwillingness to listen to what I consider to be the existential facts of the universe when I’m on Threads, the social app, that I despair that these open minded individuals exist. However, I am given to believe you must have, otherwise you would not show such optimism about the future. I, too, believe in bridge building, like my hero, Senator Bernie Sanders. He says work with anyone as long as you can get it done. Hence, I have become a pragmatist. I will talk with anyone who will listen to me, but do not suffer fools, or sealioning.