Bipartisanship, by definition, is a political situation, especially in the context of a two-party system, as is the case for countries such as the United States, in which opposing political parties find common ground through compromise.
Have we, as a country, forgotten this practice as a consequence of the election?
Have we forgotten what it means to work together?
Have we forgotten the foundation that our country was built on?
Have we forgotten why we are actually nominating a president?
I found myself asking this and more after I attended the Propel Ohio Collegiate Leadership Summit. The conference had many influential political figures from across Ohio in attendance to speak to civically involved students. This list included Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft, House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn, State Senator Peggy Lehner, and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley; both Democrats and Republicans.
I was nervous to attend as the election was in full swing and I had preconceived notions that democrats and republicans hate each other. I didn’t want to see them working in the same room. I’ve realized this was an irrational, benighted, and ignorant fear.
There was no tension in the air, only smiling faces and open-minds in the room around me. I felt refreshed, looking at a space full of students and political figures from all different parties, speaking to each other about their passions and what they wanted to do in the future.
They weren’t only speaking to each other, they were actually supporting each other. After I saw this I questioned why I ever had preconceived notions of hatred between political parties. It’s because the first election I’ve ever been able to play a part in has been the most unpleasant election of history. I’ve watched friends lose friends, I’ve watched families become bitter towards each other, and I’ve been called every name in the book because of party affiliation.
Propel Ohio taught me that this isn’t how democracy works and this isn’t how we as citizens solve problems. I had an epiphany that our country can’t work divided, that everyone must put aside their party affiliation to work together to solve problems.
I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this, but I hope that more Americans can remember this as I have and take the steps to work together to solve the problems that keep us up at night.
Senator Brown writes on his website the purpose of Propel Ohio, “Ohio has been home to innovators and leaders for a generation, from presidents to poets, from Wright Brothers to John Glenn. We want to prepare the next generation of Ohioans to continue their legacy.”
The focus of Propel Ohio were issues that affect childhood poverty, including health and hunger, education, and housing security.
A lot of what many of the guests that have had an influence on childhood poverty in the past had to share stuck with me and initially inspired me to question my preconceived notions of our democracy.
House Democratic Leader, Fred Strahorn, said “I don’t care what tribe you are in if it’s a good idea, it’s a good idea. This is so important.
I’ll say it again, this is so important. It’s so simple but I feel that we fall away from this because we don’t want to agree with something anyone outside our party says. Mr. Strahorn is right, a good idea is just that, a good idea. If it works, we should accept it and support in spite of our party affiliations.
Ohio Senator, Peggy Lehner, also expanded on this idea, “You can’t fix anything in isolation. We need real bipartisanship, everyone sitting down at the table working together.”
This is was what was so out of sight for me, where my irrational fears stemmed from; from receiving so much hatred for voicing my beliefs, from seeing others lose their best friend because of their different opinions, and the country splitting in half because of an awful election. After Ms. Lehner explained it, everything made so much sense. How can we work together without actually being together? How can we work together without actually listening to others ideas? How can we work together without can giving other opinions a chance? How can we do anything without using bipartisanship?
We can’t.
The mayor of Dayton talked about the fun of working through bipartisanship, “We get to cross party lines because we all love Dayton.” Finding a common love and forming goals to work towards that love is so important. Dayton is a beautiful and inspiring city and although local and federal government are very different, we can learn something from Dayton.
Former Governor Bob Taft spoke about what really helps a child in poverty, “A loving and caring adult, that extra and stable support.” We can all be that for a child, regardless of our party. I have had the privilege to do this through a summer program called “Let’s Eat, Let’s Read” where I was able to help students find a love for reading and feed their hungry bellies, it was beautiful thing to see the impact that this had on the children. Everyday, at an inner city after school program I currently work with, I have this opportunity. I have the opportunity to be that loving, caring, stable support for a child that needs it. None of this involves my political beliefs or opinions, it’s just me, using the chance I have to be a good influence in a child’s life that needs it.
Thank you, Propel Ohio, for opening my eyes to the beauty of bipartisanship, to the real problems our country is facing, and what a real democracy is.
