Explore the power of genuine communication and unity through StoryCorps' One Small Step initiative, bridging political divides. Reflect on family connections and personal relationships, showcasing the transformative impact of one-on-one conversations. Delve into the essence of StoryCorps over two decades and the beauty of capturing wisdom and love through interviews. Experience emotional connections and growth within StoryCorps, inspiring a vision for a more united future.
One Small Step fosters understanding by connecting strangers with opposing political beliefs through shared human experiences.
StoryCorps promotes empathy and mutual respect by focusing on personal values rather than political arguments during conversations.
Deep dives
One Small Step Initiative Aims to Foster Understanding Through Dialogue
One Small Step, an initiative by StoryCorps, brings together strangers with opposing political beliefs to engage in conversations not to debate but to understand each other's lives. Participants, matched based on shared human experiences rather than political views, are guided through the conversation by trained facilitators. By creating a space for these dialogues, StoryCorps aims to challenge the prevailing culture of division and foster mutual respect and understanding, one conversation at a time.
Contact Theory and One Small Step Process
One Small Step conversations are rooted in contact theory, a psychological concept suggesting that enemies can come to understand and accept each other when engaging one-on-one under specific circumstances. In these interviews, participants begin by reading each other's bios aloud, emphasizing personal values and experiences rather than political arguments. This approach helps to humanize individuals, fostering connections beyond political divides and potentially leading to newfound respect and understanding.
Legacy and Future of StoryCorps
With an archive of thousands of interviews capturing personal stories, wisdom, and shared humanity, StoryCorps has upheld its core mission of connecting people through storytelling over 20 years. Despite life changes and challenges, the dedication of staff and the essence of hard work, love, and commitment to storytelling have been fundamental to StoryCorps' success. Looking ahead, the hope is for StoryCorps' ethos of respecting and valuing every individual's narrative to continue shaping a more inclusive and empathetic society, where everyone's story is cherished and honored.
As we close out our special series celebrating 20 years of StoryCorps, hear how our One Small Step initiative is helping to facilitate a national conversation by bringing people together from across the political spectrum.