Our imagination about what we can do cannot be limited by the aims of those who seek power and wealth at our collective demise. The division in America is real - we witness daily the political framing of polarization - The air and radio waves target the real pain and discontent to fuel anger, outrage, and division - and we feel the culmination of it in our communities and often in our own families.
There is a culture war taking place in America that's not relegated to the most spectacular of instances like the insurrection on January 6th, or the escalation of violence taking place across our country - it resides in the hearts and minds of people stretched across America be we urban, suburban, rural.
The reality we face together is a perilous and uncertain future. Our best days will not come from our division, but our unity. It will come from our ability to come together across difference to see ourselves as part of the solution and one that will not come from a political party, but our ability to see our interests and values shared - to see ourselves in fundamental relationship with one another and ready for the task of balancing self-interest with our deeper responsibility to one other. Whoever we are, most of us are not happy with how our systems are working. And still, we've been entrusted with this moment to move beyond what is, to build what can be. The test is whether we can reset our course and bend the arc toward justice supported by pillars of truly inclusive democracy and people centered power to create a durable democratic society for ours and future generations. Uncontested, the promise of America is unfulfilled, how we show up now will determine how we move forward together - and it is the work of this innovative project.
The United Vision Project was the outgrowth of decades of organizing by United Vision for Idaho in an area of the country, long the target of the extremist authoritarian, anti-democratic and militarized factions seeking a Christian, white ethno-nationalist home in the state. Over the years, the conservative stronghold over the state legislature has ceded its power to an extreme anti-government fringe. Much of rural America has been abandoned. After the stock market crash in 2008-09 investments in grassroots organizing became insufficient, if not obsolete rendering them unable to meet the ramp up of extreme political forces. Fueled by the rhetoric of hate after 2011, the extreme coffers were built up again and those anti-democratic forces stepped into the breach and filled the vacuum.
Particularly in states relegated to going alone, decades of real human struggling have left many with diminishing hope of substantive change and perpetually whittled away at the social fabric that once bound people together across political identity.
UVI proudly created, self-funded and launched the United Vision Program, leveraging our deep-rooted experience in rural organizing to bridge America's most significant political divides, transforming communities, impacting thousands of lives and more broadly the strategic approach to organizing to meet this particular moment.
What is UVI's special sauce? With decades of experience in combating growing authoritarian control in a state with a national presence, UVI stands as a trusted leader and expert in addressing democratic decline and rising authoritarianism, particularly in rural organizing. Our programming is born out of deep experience and a pressing, unmet need for authentic organizing. Pioneering in its approach, UVI's initiative is unparalleled – nothing like it existed before, and outside of our program, nothing like it exists now. This makes UVI not just an organization but a crucial movement leader, filling a critical gap and amplifying the need for investment in genuine, impactful organizing to safeguard democracy.
How is this work having an impact? UVI is at the forefront of transforming America's political landscape, expertly addressing the root causes of extremism by connecting people across extreme social and political division through innovative, technology-enhanced with UVI’s model of Authentic Relational Organizing (ARO) The cumulative and multi-layered program’s impact is profound for bridging the deepest social and political divides of our time and fostering a powerful, inclusive pro-democracy movement.
Constituency / audience / who are you connecting? We engage individuals across the entire political spectrum, with a particular focus on those in rural areas and holding extreme views, to cultivate understanding and unity. In this endeavor, UVI collaborates closely with leaders of color, shaping a program that empowers white individuals to move beyond performative allyship towards actions that contribute significantly to our collective well-being, ensuring a truly inclusive and effective approach to healing a divided nation.
Beyond Idaho, what is UVI's geographical focus? Nationwide focus, with special attention to rural and traditionally politically neglected areas, increasingly being cede to far-right political extremism to fill the void and create a truly comprehensive and strategic approach to address the root cause of our division and build alignment across America capable of achieving a multi-racial, inclusive, pluralistic, and just democracy.
How does UVI's work differ from other work? UVI's strategy transcends traditional outreach boundaries by actively engaging those with opposing views, creating a unique space for transformative dialogue and understanding. This approach not only bridges divides but also offers crucial off-ramps from entrenched ideologies, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic pro-democracy movement. It's a strategic and necessary shift from mere conversation to meaningful action, aligning perfectly with the goals of forward-thinking funders committed to deep societal change.
Laura Flanders presents:
Idaho's United Vision Project: Confronting Extremism in Rural America
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