More Alike than Different

David Brooks, the chair of the Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project, has long warned of a disconnection crisis in America, arguing that competition, inequity, and “me-centered” culture have led to widespread personal, social, and political trauma. With Covid-19, physical isolation threw our disconnection into even sharper relief. So, Weave and the Listen First Project, creator of the National Week of Conversation, launched a social media and publicengagement campaign called #WeavingCommunity During Crisis. The goal is to help Americans find common purpose in their shared pain and to inspire millions of them to start or deepen their relationships. After the killing of George Floyd, racial justice became a key part of the healing message. The campaign creates a space for people to see and share stories of Americans showing up for each other in small and big ways—from providing food to neighbors who lost jobs, to cleaning streets after protests, to offering hotel rooms to those experiencing homelessness. #WeavingCommunity offers ideas, actions, and online conversation platforms so neighbors can discuss challenges and solve them. The campaign has reached 14 million Americans and engaged more than 425,000. It has also attracted 117 new partners—including the Institute’s Better Arguments Project, Braver Angels, Faith Matters Network, Nextdoor, Urban Rural Action, and Youthivism—and received financial support from Facebook, Civic Health Project, Einhorn Collaborative, and Well Being Trust. To get involved, visit weaving.us.