The last time an American president was assassinated, Dallas created my organization. It’s as relevant today as it was then.
Sixty-three years ago, President John F. Kennedy gave an exhortation in his inaugural address that rings as true now as it did then.
“So let us begin anew,” he said, “remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
“Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.”
Kennedy went on to motivate a generation of Americans to get involved in government and politics, champion civil rights, help the underserved and move the country forward economically.
With an election coming, he and Vice President Lyndon Johnson visited Dallas in November 1963 in a bid to win over Texas voters. What happened next served as an inflection point for our city.
Shortly after the assassination, newly minted Mayor Erik Jonsson launched Goals for Dallas, an ambitious city planning project to take stock in what was and make plans for what could be. This project involved a team of almost 100 leaders and planners, included input from thousands of citizens, and resulted in a 269-page summary report that set in motion DFW International Airport, the Dallas Museum of Art and Dallas City Hall. Thanks-Giving Square was birthed in 1964 and was conceived of, planned and built alongside these other projects with the same unity-driven, culture-focused, forward-thinking philosophy.
The square was created as an aspirational expression of what Dallas could be and as a counterbalance to the unfortunate reputation the city earned in the day of the civil rights struggles and the shadow cast over it by the actions of a troubled young man named Lee Harvey Oswald.
Last week, we were shocked by an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. We do not yet know the full story or the shooter’s motivations, and as it is with any act of senseless violence, we may never learn all the answers. What we do know is that society has hit another inflection point, and we all stand to lose if we fail to act.
We are learning the hard way that a lack of human connection can become a ticking time bomb. Loneliness and isolation can lead to severe mental health issues, as highlighted in the recent Surgeon General’s report on the topic. Individuals who feel rejected and anonymous often experience hopelessness and rage, driving a desperate need to be seen and acknowledged.
We also know our societal connections are deteriorating. Robert Putnam’s work on social capital emphasizes the decline of “bridging capital” — relationships that bridge diverse groups. We have plenty of “bonding capital” within our inner circles and extended networks, thanks to the efficiency of technology and social media. However, the middle circle — clubs, groups and community organizations — has atrophied, leading to a significant loss of meaningful connections.
These issues are amplified by a political climate that has become particularly toxic and characterized by a win/lose, us/them mentality. Groupthink has replaced genuine conviction on issues, and “conflict entrepreneurs” thrive on discord. This makes us question how much of the division is driven by genuine ideological commitment and how much is opportunistic manipulation.
At Thanks-Giving Square, the interpersonal values and gratitude-centered approach to living that we have promoted and cultivated in Dallas over many decades have the power to improve our present situation, just as they helped heal the city in the years following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Founded at a point when we needed positive change, like this current moment, to promote the kind of civic virtues we need now more than ever, the square’s commitment to civility, inclusivity and celebrating differences can help pull us out of a dark national moment, if we are willing to put them to work in our lives.
We must ask ourselves: Is America great despite our differences and diversity, or because of them? We need to shift from viewing differences as bad to seeing them as a strength.
Moving forward, let’s find common ground whenever and wherever we can. When that isn’t fruitful, let’s agree to disagree, but with kindness and civility. By fostering civility and building meaningful connections, we can address the root causes of loneliness and divisiveness. We need to revive the middle circle of community engagement, promote understanding over judgment, and embrace our differences as a source of strength.
The path to a healthier society lies in reconnecting with one other, being intentional about including those who have been cast out, building relationships based on mutual respect, and transcending our disagreements with civility. Only then can we hope to defuse the ticking time bombs of loneliness and divisiveness that threaten our society.
Kyle Ogden is president and CEO of the Thanks-Giving Foundation.
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