1/ Have taken a pause to think carefully about what to say – what can be said – about the framing that can best help #KeepFamiliesTogether. Ready to share now.
2/ There remains much work to be done; the meaning-making work is part of it. Our framing in this moment will determine whether bystander publics – people who don’t yet have a firm stance - get engaged. Today's frames can clear, (or clutter) the path toward meaningful change.
3/ From a social movements perspective, it’s to our advantage to find a frame that builds understanding of #FamilySeparation writ large: at the border, in communities affected by parental incarceration, in conflict zones. More here: bit.ly/2K4FtKM - thanks to @AECFNews
4/ Our recommendations for talking #FamilySeparation are based on a particular definition of “what works.” We say a frame works when it builds understanding, shifts attitudes, and moves policy preferences across a wide swath of Americans. Now for some of those recommendations.
5/ Reframe #1: Take an explanatory approach, grounded inscience of #earlychildhood adversity. Talk about effects on brain architecture & serious consequences. But be careful: never suggest there is no hope! @DrBurkeHarris strikes this balance: bit.ly/2IhjcDu) #scicomm
6/ Reframe #2: Don’t let the problem be the whole story. Move quickly to a call for specific corrective action. @HarvardCenter statement is a strong example: developingchild.harvard.edu/about/press/sh… To mitigate effects of #toxicstress we must reunite children with families immediately.
7/ Reframe #3. Enough with the hyperemotional rhetoric about the villains. May be cathartic, but it’s not strategic. Entrenches partisans while alienating potential allies. The issue needs broad support. We can’t afford to “mobilize the base” at expense of “growing the middle.”
8/ Reframe #4 Talk about the policies, not the politicians. Avoid the argument culture and embrace the explanation culture. Take it out of the boxing ring and into the public square. Good example from @AllianceNews here bit.ly/2yB5LPi
9/ Reframe #5. Elaborate on shared values - give them a lot of space in your communications. Our research suggests a moral argument will work best now: obligation to uphold human dignity; people are people, period. How-to here: bit.ly/2ltt2cI
10/ Reframe #6: When space allows, pivot to the overall issue (immigration) and advance the idea that America benefits from the energy, skills, and talents of newcomers from other countries. See @NatlAssembly talking points for a model. nationalassembly.org/wp-content/upl…
11/Final point - important! For #FamilySeparation to be framed as a moral issue, not a political squabble, advocates must be a symphony. Cacophony sounds like the noise of business as usual. Let's look to evidence to find the right notes -those that resonate beyond our own choir.
12/ Given that, if you have made statements or have resources that will help advance a moral frame for issue advocates, please share in this thread! And you can learn more about our research base here: frameworksinstitute.org/immigration1.h…
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