The solution to toxic polarization isn’t a training or a program. It’s bigger.
Andrew Hanauer
Andrew Hanauer is the President and CEO of the One America Movement, an organization founded by faith leaders to fight toxic polarization. One America supports faith leaders and faith communities to reject toxic forms of division and offer a moral vision that transcends our divisive and disconnected culture. Under Andrew’s leadership, the One America Movement has become one of the largest and fastest growing organizations combating division in American society, quintupling in size in the past three years.
Andrew is a frequent public speaker at houses of worship of all kinds and has represented One America before gatherings of the National Governors' Association, Americorps, Points of Light, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and many more, and podcasts as wide ranging as Fuller Seminary and Islamic Relief USA. His work has been published or featured by USA Today, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Salon, the Christian Citizen, and media outlets across the US.
When he is not fighting toxic polarization, Andrew is spending time with his family, coaching little league, rooting for the Golden State Warriors and Arkansas Razorbacks, and participating in small groups at his church.
Getting Proximate
For the One America Movement, getting proximate means working alongside others to solve pressing challenges in our communities. It means experiencing religious traditions and cultures that aren’t yours and building trust and relationships with communities that are different from yours. As a non-profit, it means listening to faith leaders tell us what they’re facing in their communities and then designing resources and projects to fit those needs, rather than us coming to them with all the “answers” in a box.
Harry Potter and Polarization
The popular series Harry Potter has a lot to teach us about toxic polarization and what it means to be an in-group moderate. Neville Longbottom is an understated hero for those who long to stand up even when it’s hard.
We Belong Together
As the One America Movement celebrates a milestone birthday, CEO Andrew Hanauer reflects on the pivotal moments of the organization’s fight against toxic polarization in America.
Who is the Enemy?
We change the world by how we act in the world. How we are, how we live, how we serve. None of us live up to those ideals all the time. I sure don’t. I don’t need enemies – I am my own worst enemy most of the time. The truth is that Toxic Polarization feeds on our behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, and actions. We could end it tomorrow if we chose to.
We’re tired of talk.
Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and get to work—together—on the challenges facing our communities and our country. There’s so much to do. If we’re going to talk about it, let’s talk in a way that moves us toward getting to work.