Washington Monthly essay says Americans want connection over division

A new Washington Monthly article by Dr. Gail C. Christopher says most Americans still want fairness, belonging and less anxiety, even as confidence in the country's promises falls. The piece draws on NCHE's latest Heart of America survey and argues the nation is divided in politics but united in its desire for healing.

Why it matters: - The essay lands as the United States marks its 250th anniversary and argues the country’s real fault line is not hopeless division, but frustration that national ideals are not being delivered in daily life. - The findings matter for politics, public health and civic life because the survey ties division to anxiety, family strain and eroding trust. - Dr. Gail C. Christopher says the better story is that Americans still want belonging, fairness and connection.

What happened: - Washington Monthly published "The Heart of America Still Beats for Connection," an article by Dr. Gail C. Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. - The piece draws on NCHE’s 4th Annual Heart of America Survey, a public opinion poll of 1,322 adults ages 18 and older conducted online from May 28 to June 3 by pollster Shannon-Janean Currie, CEO of Empirica Advisors. - The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.70 points. - The article argues that Americans show "ambivalent patriotism": loyalty to country paired with doubt that the country is honoring its promises. - The full article is available here. - Full poll results are available here. - NCHE survey archives are kept 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. - Cost pressures are widespread: 81 percent cite grocery costs, 75 percent cite wages not keeping pace with the cost of living, 72 percent cite health care costs and 71 percent cite housing costs. - Elder care now weighs on 53 percent of respondents, ahead of childcare at 44 percent. - Eighty-nine percent say the country needs leaders who are "transformers" who can see through labels and political tricks. - Eighty-three percent would support a leader who aims 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 want 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. - Dr. Christopher also points to Minneapolis residents who stood outside in sub-zero temperatures to protect and stand with neighbors during ICE-related violence against immigrant communities. - The article says those residents chose to see neighbors rather than strangers.

Between the lines: - The article pushes back on the dominant narrative that Americans mostly want more conflict or permanent political sorting. - Dr. Christopher argues that the deeper national story is a shared exhaustion with division and a demand for repair. - She links the culture-war climate to chronic anxiety and says fear can worsen chronic illness. - The essay also argues that so-called culture wars can obscure a longer history of racial hierarchy that has shaped American life from the 15th through the 20th century. - Dr. Christopher says Indigenous peoples, enslaved and free African Americans, Chinese and Mexican immigrants, and women never accepted that hierarchy. - The piece frames racial healing, historical honesty and cross-sector change as interconnected, not separate, tasks.

What's next: - Dr. Christopher calls for four steps: tell a truer story, educate honestly, demand transformational leadership and make healing a cross-sector project. - She says education, public health, media and technology all shape the conditions that either deepen division or support repair. - The article argues that America’s 250th anniversary should become a starting point for cultural peace rather than more conflict. - Dr. Christopher says the country can replace the illusion of division with a broader reality: most Americans want civility, solidarity and fairness.

The bottom line: - The article’s core claim is simple: Americans are weary of polarization, but not of one another.