Washington Monthly article says Americans want connection, not conflict

A new Washington Monthly article by Dr. Gail C. Christopher says the U.S. is politically divided but united by a deeper desire for belonging, fairness and less daily anxiety. The piece draws on NCHE’s 4th Annual Heart of America Survey and argues Americans want leaders and policies that heal, not inflame, the country.

Why it matters: - The article argues that America’s 250th anniversary is not just a moment to measure division. It is a test of whether the country can rebuild trust, fairness and a sense of belonging. - NCHE’s survey suggests the public is frustrated, but not resigned. The findings point to a strong demand for unity, honest history and leadership that eases daily strain.

What happened: - Washington Monthly published “The Heart of America Still Beats for Connection,” written by Dr. Gail C. Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. - The article was released July 22, 2026, as the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary. - Christopher uses NCHE’s 4th Annual Heart of America Survey to argue that most Americans still believe in the country’s founding ideals, even as many doubt those ideals are being met. - The full article is here.

The details: - Sixty-two percent of Americans say they are proud to be American, down from 72% a year earlier. - Only 36% say the country is living up to its ideals of freedom, fairness and equal opportunity. - Fifty-two percent say the American Dream is out of reach. - Cost pressures are widespread: 81% cite grocery costs, 75% cite wages not keeping pace with the cost of living, 72% cite health care costs and 71% cite housing costs. - Elder care is now a bigger family burden than childcare. Fifty-three percent cite elder care, compared with 44% for childcare. - Eighty-nine percent say the country needs leaders who are “transformers.” - Eighty-three percent would support a leader who tries to unite people across disagreements. - Eighty-four percent say faith, kindness and empathy can help America overcome differences. - Seventy-one percent remain hopeful that the country can find lasting common ground. - Eighty-five percent say Americans are hungry to belong, connect and trust one another again. - The survey also found broad support for repair-oriented policies: 82% say workplace diversity matters to racial healing, 80% say reducing housing segregation matters, 92% support teaching the full history of America, including slavery and racism, and 56% support reparations, up from 46% in 2023. - NCHE’s survey was conducted online from May 28 to June 3 among 1,322 U.S. adults age 18 or older by veteran pollster Shannon-Janean Currie, CEO of Empirica Advisors. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.70 points. - Full poll results are available here, and NCHE archives the surveys at the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.

Between the lines: - Christopher frames the public mood as “ambivalent patriotism”: loyalty to country paired with doubt that the country is keeping its promises. - She argues the dominant public story has been polarization, but the survey captures a quieter truth: many Americans want connection more than conflict. - The article links repeated exposure to culture-war messaging with chronic anxiety and fear, and says that can worsen chronic illness. - Christopher also says “culture wars” can obscure a deeper system that historically ranked human worth by race. - She points to the experiences of Indigenous peoples, enslaved and free African Americans, Chinese and Mexican immigrants, and women as evidence that resistance to that hierarchy has always existed. - Minneapolis residents standing with immigrant neighbors during ICE-related violence is used as an example of local solidarity.

What’s next: - Christopher calls for four steps: tell a truer story, teach honest history, demand transformational leadership and make healing a cross-sector effort. - She argues education, public health, media and technology all shape the conditions for repair. - The article says the next chapter should focus on “cultural peace” rather than culture war.

The bottom line: - The article’s central claim is simple: Americans may disagree sharply in politics, but most still want fairness, civility, solidarity and a country that feels worthy of their trust.