Washington Monthly article says Americans want connection over division

A new Washington Monthly article by Dr. Gail C. Christopher argues that Americans remain attached to the country’s ideals even as they doubt those ideals are being delivered in daily life. Drawing on NCHE’s latest Heart of America survey, the piece says most Americans want fairness, belonging, and leaders who can lower anxiety and bridge divides.

Why it matters: - The article frames the United States’ 250th anniversary as a test of whether the country can move from polarization toward belonging, fairness, and trust. - The survey suggests Americans are frustrated, but not resigned, which matters for politics, public health, education, and family life. - The findings point to a public appetite for leaders and institutions that reduce anxiety tied to costs, conflict, and social division.

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 piece draws on NCHE’s 4th Annual Heart of America Survey, conducted online from May 28 to June 3 with 1,322 Americans age 18 or older. - The poll was run by veteran pollster Shannon-Janean Currie, CEO of Empirica Advisors, and 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 all 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 percent a year earlier. - Only 36 percent say 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 cite grocery costs as a source of pressure. - Seventy-five percent say wages are not keeping pace with the cost of living. - Seventy-two percent point to health care costs. - Seventy-one percent point to housing costs. - Elder care is now a pressure point for 53 percent of respondents, ahead of childcare at 44 percent. - Eighty-nine percent say the country needs leaders who are "transformers" who can see past labels and political tricks. - Eighty-three percent would support a leader who tries to unite people across disagreements. - Eighty-four percent say 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 workplace diversity is important to racial healing, including 74 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Independents, and 92 percent 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 percent from 46 percent in 2023. - Christopher argues that chronic exposure to culture-war messaging can increase anxiety and fear, which she links to chronic illness. - The article cites Martha Raddatz’s book, The Hero Next Door, as an example of stories that can restore empathy across politics, geography, and party lines. - Christopher points to Minneapolis residents who stood outside in sub-zero temperatures to protect immigrant neighbors during ICE-related violence as an example of solidarity in action.

Between the lines: - The article is a rebuttal to the idea that division is the country’s only story. - Christopher describes the current mood as "ambivalent patriotism": loyalty to the country paired with doubt that the country is keeping its promises. - The survey results suggest many Americans want structural change, not just rhetoric, especially around housing, health care, wages, and school curricula. - Christopher argues that "culture wars" can obscure a deeper conflict rooted in a historic belief system that ranked human worth by race. - The piece also treats healing as a cross-sector issue, not just a political one, because media, technology, education, and public health shape daily experience.

What’s next: - Christopher calls for four steps: tell a truer story, teach honest history, demand transformational leadership, and make healing a shared project across sectors. - She says the country can replace "culture war" with "cultural peace" as Americans look toward the 250th anniversary. - The article positions connection, civility, solidarity, and fairness as the organizing goals for the next phase of American life.

The bottom line: - Christopher’s core message is that most Americans are not asking for more conflict. They are asking for leaders and institutions that make belonging, fairness, and trust feel real again.