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Today we ask our readers and followers to try for less partisanship and lower the volume of our national conversations as we focus on how people can remember 9-11. This week we started a series focused on how people can remember 9-11.

Another memory many Americans have from September 11 attacks is how people came together immediately after the attacks in New York (NY), Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Neighbors who drove by their local police precinct or firehouse without a second thought were baking food for responders. Schools and community groups talked about how America would be united in her response. Even politicians got along for a short period of time before considering how their actions may help or hurt their own party or the opposition.

Through all of it though, we feel America  was untied, if only for a few historic moments. We hope Americans will heal their divisions and find more time for conversation and listening and less time for yelling and recriminations.

Less Partisanship

According to a Pew Research piece, partisanship continues to be the dividing line in the American public’s political attitudes, far surpassing differences by age, race and ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, religious affiliation or other factors. Yet there are substantial divisions within both parties on fundamental political values, views of current issues and the severity of the problems facing the nation.

Negative partisanship is the tendency of some voters to form their political opinions primarily in opposition to political parties they dislike. We hope that Americans are choosing their political stands not based on person or party, but on belief in issues.

There are many small ways for friends and neighbors to talk through issues in a cordial. non threatening manner. The goal of the 9-11 Foundation is to never forget that day and hope we can heal our own fractures as we lead the world.

Eleven Ways To Remember 9-11: Less Partisanship

We hope that a little less partisanship and a little more community spirit will lead our neighbors to find reasons to take CPR together or volunteer at their local school. We really are better together.

Day One: Learn CPR 

Day Two: Volunteer