We are living in an era of political polarization more perilous than at any time since the Civil War.
In this climate of orchestrated fear, systematic censorship and fierce tribalism, we’ve watched many of our friends, family members and colleagues choose blind loyalty to a government-sponsored COVID-19 narrative over uncensored, critical thinking and honest debate.
We’ve watched Americans stop listening to the facts. And stop listening to each other.
How do we figure our way out of this?
Early on in the pandemic, I engaged in congenial and ongoing conversation with my longtime friend and former law partner, John Morgan — a lifelong champion of the Democrat Party and liberal values.
I invited John, who reveres Dr. Anthony Fauci and believes in the scientific validity of the government’s COVID-19 countermeasures, to reengage his critical thinking skills and accept my challenge to a science-based debate.
My latest book, “A Letter to Liberals — Censorship and COVID: An Attack on Science and American Ideals,” emerged from those conversations with John.
Today, I invite you to download this free e-book and use it as a tool to engage in similar dialogues with those whose views on lockdowns and masks and vaccines differ from yours.
Because this is the kind of dialogue we need in order for democracy to function.
“A Letter to Liberals” is my attempt to distill in one easy-to-digest format — in layman’s language, but with ironclad citations — a summary of the latest science and factual data that people can use to make their own informed judgments.
This book is really an advocacy tool. I think it will be particularly useful for liberal Democrats like those who have come to me and said, “Hey, I’m alone in my family” or “My friends won’t listen to me.”
As a nation, we are long overdue for an open, science-based debate about the strategies enacted for ending the pandemic, and the best measures for avoiding future crises.
But how do we jump-start that conversation?
I believe we do it by talking to each other, by engaging in real dialogue — one-on-one — instead of giving in to anger and tribalism and polarization.
After all, how will we ever find common ground if we don’t talk to our political opponents?
If we can’t explore scientific truths through debate, how will we ever bridge the widening chasm between America’s warring tribes?
By Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. August 4, 2022, public letter