There's a purity test in climate world, like that sort of judges people about their greenness. If you got meat eaters in your climate movement, that means your movement is now reaching people who don't share all your convictions but they still like something about what you're saying. Lisa Garza, one of the leaders of Black Lives Matter, talks about this. She says if there's non radical people in your radical space, that's when your movement is succeeding. You're growing and recruiting.
In a democracy, meaningful change often requires adapting views and building coalitions. Some believe finding common ground and building rapport is the best way to change minds. Others believe activism and protests are key to raising awareness. Increasingly, however, the acts of listening and persuasion are left out, as each side is convinced that the other is unmovable.
Anand Giridharadas is a journalist, columnist, on-air political analyst, and author. His latest book, The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy, explores how the tactics of persuasion can help strengthen democracy and foster positive societal change.
Guests:
Anand Giridharadas, Journalist, Author, The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy
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