Building bridges in a fractured nation: The future of America’s political discourse

(Elkordy Global Strategies) – I grew up in a small town in Michigan, where my viewpoints were shaped by the people and context of the times – rooted in religion, community service and a suspicion of government intervention. On Friday nights in high school, several friends and I would pile into a car and drive to a nearby town, to our favorite coffee shop, Cup o’ Joe. We’d sip creative coffees and nibble on confections while debating the politics of the day. Our discussions could be intense, but were often punctuated by laughter, as we seemed convinced we had all the answers. Since, my life experiences have continued to shape my beliefs about government and public policy.As a teenager, I was introduced to the urban environment when I participated in a program offered by my high school that allowed me to visit inner-city Detroit one night each week to tutor youth in reading, math and life skills. These early experiences exposed me to the harsh realities around me and taught me that policy issues affect real people. They solidified my understanding of how public policies clearly impact people’s lives.Related Stories Still, many of my closest friends are those I grew...