Anand Giridharadas Quotes

Republicans aren't bad people. They've got some views that are legitimate... and I'd like to think they believe the same of me.

'The Conversation' will hopefully touch on issues that will move people to want to strengthen communication and look to each other for solutions.

At some point, you have to be willing to accept other people's opinions. I think that's helpful.

I don't mind have an uncomfortable conversation if those uncomfortable conversations can lead to a bigger dialogue and help us get to a better understanding of whatever it is we are discussing.

If a political opponent has different approaches than mine, that doesn't make them a bad person. It means they have different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas.

It's a very important thing to learn to talk to people you disagree with.

I think it's interesting to me to talk to people who don't agree with me all the time.

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.

Just because people think politically different to you doesn't mean they're inhuman.

My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don't share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.

Dialogue between people of differing views is critical for fostering understanding in a democracy.

The true triumph of reason is that it enables us to get along with those who do not possess it.

I learned firsthand that there would simply be no wars if people engaged in real conversation.

Yes, we are all different. Different customs, different foods, different mannerisms, different languages, but not so different that we cannot get along with one another. If we will disagree without being disagreeable.

The true spirit of conversation consists in building on another man's observation, not overturning it.

I've learned by hanging out in Hollywood, where I disagree politically with most people, that most people's hearts are in the right place, and the only thing we have to argue about is the way to solve the problems.

I didn't knowingly meet a conservative until, to my shame, I was 60 years old and sat down and said, 'Wow, I don't understand what this guy's talking about, but he has a great civility about him. Perhaps I better investigate this thing.'

There's always a way to talk.

I know Eric Schmidt, and he has different political views from mine. But I think he's a terrific guy.

I've been in enough positions to respect people with different views.

It can be easy and tempting, especially during a presidential campaign, to listen only to opinions that mirror and fortify one's own. That's not ideal, because it eliminates learning and makes it impossible for people to understand what they dismiss as 'the other side.'

I have tried to treat people on the other side civilly and look for common ground.

Ever since Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. election, I've been trying to expand my scope to understand the thought processes of people who don't see the world, or humanity, as I do.

You don't see people that are willing to say 'You know what, you might be different politically, but let's find some common ground, let's find ways that we're actually similar.' We just assume immediately that we have nothing in common, what can even talk to that person about.

We live in the greatest country in the world, but the tone and destructive rhetoric across the ideological spectrum is tearing our country apart and we must return to a society that works towards finding common ground on issues where we disagree.