There are less than three weeks until a pivotal election decision has the potential to upend our democracy as we know it. In the coming days, those on both the right and left are digging in their heels and fighting ruthlessly for what they believe is the best path forward for our country. Director James Kicklighter takes a wide-lens approach to this divisive historical moment in his eye-opening documentary, The American Question. At a time when it seems we are becoming further divided as opposed to united, Kicklighter aims to explore the roots of American polarization and find solutions for a harmonious and symbiotic path forward.

With Great “Hyperpowers” Comes Great Responsibility

The film begins with a brief history lesson offered by Amy Chua, a Yale Law professor and one of Time’s 100 most influential people. She is incredibly well-spoken as she explains how, centuries ago, empires succeeded through a practice of tolerance. Distrust between a government and its citizens was a telltale sign of imminent decline. As we take stock of our current political predicament, it’s obvious that we’ve collectively fallen off track. Where there used to be trust has now been overshadowed by skepticism and outright hatred. The American Question dates this obvious shift in divisiveness back to the 2016 election. That’s not to say that politics wasn’t an ugly game before, but post-2016, there seemed to be a visible shift toward outright hatred of the opposing party.

Watch The American Question trailer here.

How did the overarching trust we once had in our process so dramatically erode the relationship between citizens and government? This is the question that the central narrator of the film, Guy Seemann, is attempting to answer. Guy is a political analyst who moved back to the United States after spending years in Israel. He speaks with scholars, educators, political figures, and average citizens across the country to gain their perspective on the present moment. Regardless of what side of the aisle they identify with, they ironically all have the same conclusion: we should be open-minded enough to understand that people will think differently than you. If only everyone could practice what they preach.

Engaging Beyond Your Bubble

Another way out of this metaphorical sinkhole our country is currently experiencing is listening to other people’s points of view. Too often, we’re quick to dismiss those who have a differing opinion. As the interviewees point out, this leads to narrow-mindedness which gives way to resentment and can ultimately breed hatred. An interesting parallel is made in the film that claims when people feel threatened, they revert to tribalism, and to avoid this, we all need to be better listeners. We don’t need to necessarily agree, but we need to be open-minded enough to at least listen.

How to Fix America

It all comes down to stability and respect. When people feel safe, they exude goodness. Through engaging interviews with people in swing state communities in Pennsylvania and Michigan, diverse Americans share their unique experiences in this country. Director James Kicklighter aids their stories with easy-to-understand graphs and a plethora of archival footage that brings the otherwise typical “talking head” interviews to life.

Takeaway

The American Question is an enlightening, non-partisan look at an incredibly sensitive and timely issue. James Kicklighter doesn’t just ask the question to create provocative soundbites. He actually leaves audiences with actionable steps to depolarize America. We are in desperate need of a better path forward, and The American Question is a great first step.