As 2020 winds down, it is not hyperbole that this has been a year like no other.

Over the past year, the nation has had to make fundamental shifts in how we gather, how we work, and how we learn. Accentuating those challenges has been strained public discourse around policing, the election, and the pandemic. These trends follow an historical movement toward increased polarization; for example attitudes around policing are highly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

One way to address these differences is called “Deep Canvassing.” In deep canvassing, the listener takes two approaches – Perspective Taking and Active Processing. The first involves hearing and empathizing with another’s perspective while the latter involves deep or effortful thinking.

Deep Canvassing requires courage – it involves vulnerability and elevating others. We can see this courage in the remarkable ways that people have come together, even during such a difficult year. There are inspiring stories of medical staff, of first responders, of community leaders who showed the ability to put the needs of others ahead of their own.

As we look to 2021 and to a year of hopefully more grace and understanding, we would do well to remember and follow the lead of those everyday heroes. We expect exciting and important developments here at MovementForward, Inc., and we hope you’ll stay connected to our work.

Editorial Disclaimer: All blog posts are contributed by a member of the MovementForward, Inc. team in their personal capacity. The opinions expressed in the posts are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of MovementForward, Inc. or any other partnership associated with the organization.