What's driving the fierce divide between Carolinians? 'Massive ignorance,' one leader says

North Carolina leaders across the political spectrum can agree on one thing: We’re extremely divided, huddled into opposing camps and unwilling to compromise, or even hear each other out.

What they’re less sure of is why polarization seems to be getting worse, or what to do about it. A group of 60 North Carolina Influencers — comprised of leaders in the state’s political, business, academic and faith communities — was asked as part of an ongoing series about what they think is driving the fierce partisan divide in North Carolina and the nation.

They pointed to causes such as the “liberal media.” Or the “right-wing media.” Or social media. Or President Donald Trump, with his comments about Mexicans, refugees, Muslims and white supremacists. Or Democrats who focus on social issues such as LGBTQ rights.

There was a general sense of gloom among respondents that North Carolina and the U.S. are becoming more and more divided. Several themes resonated through answers from people on both sides of the political aisle: Civility in public debate is eroding, or already gone. People are stuck in echo chambers, hearing only ideas similar to their own, while social media spreads disinformation and rancor. Political parties have increasingly abandoned moderates and become more extreme, and fewer people are willing to listen to opposing viewpoints.

About this series

As part of an ongoing series, the Charlotte Observer, the (Raleigh) News & Observer and the Herald-Sun surveyed a group of 60 North Carolina influencers -- comprised of leaders in the state's political, business, academic and faith communities -- about what they think the biggest issues are facing the state. This survey included a reader-submitted question from Your Voice. Our next topic will be availability of health care and insurance. We need you to guide our coverage and direct the next questions we ask our influencers. Fill out the form below.

A plurality of respondents — 42 percent — pointed to gerrymandering that’s created uncompetitive districts for many legislators as a prime cause of polarization.

“Neither party needs to compromise, and both tend to nominate more extreme candidates,” wrote former Gov. Jim Martin, a Republican.

“Gerrymandering requires office holders to play to their base on every issue,” said former Gov. Mike Easley, a Democrat. “The districts need to change so that all leaders listen to all voters as they try to resolve important issues.”

But there was even political polarization evident in the responses about gerrymandering: Ten Democrats ranked gerrymandering as the biggest issue, along with seven unaffiliated Influencers and two whose party wasn’t known. That’s compared with just one Republican.

Republicans, on the other hand, were much more likely to rank “the media” or “social media” as the biggest drivers of polarization.

Over the past decade, North Carolina politics have been largely defined by a series of highly divisive issues, such as House Bill 2, a bill passed by the Republican-held legislature that required people in government facilities to use bathrooms that match the gender on their birth certificates. That led to boycotts and protests, before a compromise repeal last year.

The long-running Moral Monday protests have also brought thousands of demonstrators to the state capitol in Raleigh, pushing for higher teacher pay, immigrant rights and criminal justice reform. Some of the protesters have staged sit-ins and been deliberately arrested in prominent Republican state legislators’ offices.

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