Depolarization: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

Learning from Northern Ireland, the Middle East

When I visited Belfast, Northern Ireland, during “the troubles” between Catholics and Protestants (1960s through the 1990s), sectarian neighborhoods were cordoned off with gates and green or orange banners. Soldiers stationed at neighborhood entrances frisked visitors before they entered. I thought, “Thank God America is not like Northern Ireland!” with…