Three sets of friends (including Derek Monson, Sutherland vice president of policy) who have different views on politics and policy discussed their unorthodox friendships during a webinar Thursday – challenging the audience to reach out and establish connections and friendships with those who maintain different opinions, while offering suggestions for how to do so and responding to audience questions.

The event, “Let Friendship Heal the Republic,” was hosted by The Village Square, Florida Humanities and the Tallahassee Democrat.

Geston Pierre and Berny Jacques – childhood friends and both children of immigrants – spoke about their different life experiences and how they led one friend to adopt liberal views (Geston) and the other to take conservative views (Berny). Geston’s views were shaped by his experience and understanding of the experiences of other people of color in a system that in many cases was designed to work against them. Berny’s views, on the other hand, were shaped by his family’s experience achieving the American dream through hard work and dedication, within a relatively short span of years.

Liz Joyner and Jacob Hess have different politics, but a similar enjoyment in their association together – referring to each other as their “work husband” and “work wife.” Their association has allowed them to better understand political viewpoints different than their own and helped them better understand and constructively deal with difficult political events the nation has faced, such as the recent storming of the U.S. Capitol by protesters-turned-rioters in Washington, D.C.

Derek and the Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen spoke about their years-long friendship and professional association working to find solutions that cross the divide of faith and LGBTQ+ concerns – including co-authoring a number of op-eds, successfully seeking policy reforms in Utah, and speaking to audiences about their experience. They discussed the challenges and opportunities created when a friendship “blessed by difference” generates questions from like-minded friends about the new association.

The panelists demonstrated how such unique friendships improve their lives, while also having the potential to heal communities and bridge divides across society as a whole. Such relationships require intellectual humility, courage, a willingness to be comfortable in the natural tension of such friendships, and a desire to listen more than persuade. But by engaging in such relationships, our minds are broadened and our lives enriched, and our communities are made better.

If you want to learn more about how to create a unique and valuable friendship across the political divide, you can watch the video of the whole conversation between Geston, Berny, Liz, Jacob, Derek and Marian here.