Hello, Neighbor!
I want to let you know that I'm happy to water your plants while you’re out of town. I can take in your mail, too, and shovel if it snows. I’m here if you need help, and to let you know if you’ve left a light on inside your car. I will do all this and more because, like Wisconsinites and people across the country, I care about my neighbors and I’m happy to lend a hand.
There has been a fair amount of reporting on the increasing isolation and distrust people have for one another. We hear about cultural polarization and the loneliness epidemic. But that is not the complete story. We may feel more wary of others and have significant concerns for our communities, state, and country, but we also know that helping out a neighbor and pitching in
are important.
I have read multiple studies recently showing that despite growing isolation and fears, people want to extend kindness and generosity.
I find this quite hopeful and inspiring, so I want to take a minute to rest on this fact: Even though we know fewer of our neighbors and trust people less, we are still willing to take time and energy to do a nice favor for them and ease their troubles a bit. Generally, people want to do a good turn for someone, even when they don’t know the person and aren’t confident that a stranger would do the same for them. That’s remarkable.
Couple this with the fact that people want to connect with each other - despite increased political division and vitriolic discourse. I was intrigued by a finding of the international independent research entity More in Common. Research found that 70% of Americans feel a sense of responsibility to connect with people whose backgrounds and viewpoints are different from their own. Additionally, most Americans (66%) believe they can learn a lot from interacting with people who are different.
What people lack is opportunity. This is where the Wisconsin Academy comes in.
You and I and everyone who is a part of the Wisconsin Academy create these opportunities. We are building the bridges needed. For a century and a half, we have used the unique and combined powers of independent thought, scientific exploration, and artistic expression to reveal truths of our existence and our world. We have seen how these increase our understanding and connection to each other.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and we consider what is ahead for our country, it is reassuring to know that we want to be there for each other and be good neighbors.
Thank you for building bridges with me, with the Academy, and for all of us.
