Washington Monthly article says Americans want connection over division

A Washington Monthly essay by Dr. Gail C. Christopher of the National Collaborative for Health Equity argues that most Americans still want belonging, fairness and less anxiety in daily life, even as faith in the country’s promises fades. The piece cites new survey data showing strong support for unity, honest history and racial healing as the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary.

Why it matters: - Dr. Gail C. Christopher says the 250th anniversary of the United States should not be read as proof of a hopelessly divided country. - The article argues that Americans are more united in their longing for connection, fairness and stability than the public debate suggests. - The survey findings point to a broad appetite for leaders and institutions that reduce anxiety and rebuild trust.

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 conducted online from May 28 to June 3 among 1,322 U.S. adults. - Veteran pollster Shannon-Janean Currie, CEO of Empirica Advisors, conducted the survey, which carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.70 points. - The full article is available online.

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 feel pressure from grocery costs. - Seventy-five percent say wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. - Seventy-two percent cite health care costs as a burden. - Seventy-one percent point to housing costs. - Elder care is now a bigger strain than childcare for many families, with 53 percent citing elder care and 44 percent citing childcare. - Eighty-nine percent say the country needs leaders who can see through 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 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 promoting workplace diversity is important to racial healing. - Support for workplace diversity includes 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. - The survey results and archived Heart of America surveys are available through NCHE and the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.

Between the lines: - Christopher frames the findings as "ambivalent patriotism": loyalty to the country paired with doubt that the country is honoring its promises. - That split suggests disappointment more than disengagement, because many Americans still measure the nation against its highest ideals. - The article links culture-war messaging to chronic anxiety and fear, and argues that those conditions can worsen public health. - Christopher also says the language of culture wars can obscure a deeper conflict rooted in a historical system that ranked human worth by race. - The piece presents racial healing, honest history and cross-sector change as practical responses, not just moral arguments. - Christopher cites Minneapolis residents who stood with immigrant neighbors during ICE-related violence as an example of people rejecting division in daily life. - The article uses Martha Raddatz's book, The Hero Next Door, as a reminder that shared sacrifice can cut through political labels.

What's next: - Christopher lays out four priorities for what she calls "the America we actually want." - The first is to tell a truer story that centers shared humanity. - The second is to teach the country's full history in schools, including protest, injustice and progress. - The third is to demand transformational leadership focused on housing, health care and wages. - The fourth is to make healing a cross-sector project involving education, public health, media and technology. - Christopher says the country can replace culture war with cultural peace and use the 250th anniversary as a starting point for that work. - NCHE says its Heart of America surveys are archived at the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.

The bottom line: - Christopher's argument is simple: Americans are not asking for more division; they are asking for leaders and institutions that help them feel they belong.