Interview: David Brooks Talks Education, Cultural Divides and How the Weavers in our Schools Will Help Heal America
Receive captivating stories directly to your email inbox. Sign up for Newsletter.
This is one article from a series produced in collaboration with the Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project. The series shines a spotlight on educators, mentors, and local leaders who understand the importance of community in achieving student success, especially during the challenges brought about by the pandemic. Explore all the profiles available.
For certain educators, teaching is not simply a job; it requires the establishment of a community built on connections, support, and a sense of belonging. These educators, known as "weaver educators," teach their students the value of relationships and contribute to the strength of their communities. aims to share their stories to inspire all individuals to become weavers themselves.
We have collaborated with The Aspen Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., to create our series titled "Weaving a Stronger Society – Starting in our Schools." In 2018, David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times, and The Aspen Institute launched the Weave: The Social Fabric Project. The project was initiated to address the issue of fractured social trust that has led to division among Americans across various spectrums. It focuses on identifying weavers who are uniting communities, sharing their stories, and offering them support and connections.
In a recent conversation in Washington, D.C., David Brooks discussed the inception of the Weave project and why he believes that we all have the power to heal and rebuild our nation, which is currently plagued by loneliness, division, and a lack of trust. He emphasizes the importance of fostering community where we live and work.
: You co-founded ‘Weave: The Social Fabric Project’ with the Aspen Institute in 2018. Can you take us back to before the pandemic and explain what sparked the idea?
Brooks: Well, my primary occupation is as a newspaper columnist, and much of my time is spent analyzing the problems facing America. Around 2018, I noticed a common thread among these issues – the deterioration of our social fabric. Whether it was the rise in suicide rates, increasing feelings of loneliness and depression, political polarization, or people’s anger towards one another without truly understanding each other, a loss of community was at the core.
A loss of connection.
As a reporter, I began to ask questions and discovered staggering statistics: 54% of Americans feel that no one truly knows them, the number of individuals lacking close friendships has quadrupled, and we witness escalating isolation and the devastating consequences of opioid addiction. It became clear to me that the underlying problem behind all these issues was a significant degree of social distrust.
However, I also discovered remarkable individuals, whom we refer to as weavers, actively working to rebuild trust and communities on a daily basis. The purpose of the Weave project quickly became finding ways to support and encourage more people to become weavers.
How would you describe the concept of ‘weaving’? What sets a weaver apart?
It is best understood through real-life examples. I often think of a woman in Chicago who resided in a neighborhood called Englewood. When the area became increasingly dangerous, she initially planned to leave. However, one day, as she was about to relocate, she noticed a little girl playing amidst broken bottles in an empty lot across the street. In that moment, she turned to her husband and declared, "We’re not going to abandon this place. We’re going to be a family that stays here."
She then searched for volunteering opportunities in Englewood and eventually established an organization called R.A.G.E. (Resident Association of Greater Englewood), which functions as the primary community organization in Englewood. Instead of leaving, she actively contributed to weaving the fabric of that particular community. They engage in activities such as cleaning up the neighborhood, assisting the homeless, and organizing political initiatives. She exemplifies a weaver.
The first step a weaver takes is transforming a place where community is lacking or weak into one that is strong. They focus on their immediate surroundings, working in the neighborhoods where they reside. They earn the trust of their neighbors and possess an intimate understanding of the challenges faced. I have learned a crucial lesson – that the entire neighborhood is the catalyst for change. A friend once told me, "You can’t only clean the part of the swimming pool you’re in; you have to clean the entire neighborhood."
The people in the community possess the knowledge of what needs to be done, although they may not always have the necessary resources and funds to address the issues. However, they are the ones who have a deeper understanding of the problems and know exactly what their neighborhood requires.
Instead of relying on outside intervention to fix the neighborhood, the focus is on empowering the neighbors to take charge and improve their own community. Our aim is to find ways to support them in this endeavor.
Starting this new concept and approach was a process of traveling across America during a time when the country was politically divided from 2016 to 2019. We visited various cities such as Wilkesboro, North Carolina, New Orleans, Chicago, and neighborhoods like Watts and Compton in Los Angeles. Our main question was, "Whom do the people here trust?" Everywhere we went, individuals would provide us with names of trusted individuals who had fostered relationships among their neighbors.
For example, in Watts, there was a woman named Keisha Daniels who leads Sisters of Watts, a group of mothers who provide backpacks filled with food to children in need. They also assist homeless individuals with accessing showers. These are the types of people that Weave is about—individuals who willingly contribute to their neighborhoods.
We also learned about a man in Washington, D.C., who worked at a parking garage and happened to possess a wealth of knowledge about city zoning regulations. Whenever there was a neighborhood issue concerning the city, it was common knowledge that the parking garage attendant was the go-to person for assistance in resolving the problem.
Therefore, it became evident to us that social fabric is built around trust and those who have established trust within their communities. In many ways, good community members can be described as weavers.
Personally, I have a friend who refers to my approach as "aggressive friendship," which implies that I actively invite people into my life. I take the initiative to organize events like block parties. While this is a part of weaving, there is also a crucial aspect that goes beyond mere organization. It involves being a moral force and possessing a vision for upholding the dignity of each individual. Throughout my years of reporting, many people have expressed feelings of being invisible, unheard, and unseen.
This can apply to rural individuals who believe that coastal elites fail to understand them, or to Black individuals who feel that whites do not comprehend their daily experiences. It also extends to Republicans and Democrats who struggle to understand one another. Weavers not only bring people together, but they also hold a commitment to truly see others and recognize the inherent dignity in each person. It goes beyond a surface-level social interaction and becomes a moral imperative—a way of life that says, "I acknowledge and respect your worth. I will inquire about your life and listen attentively, so that you truly feel seen."
When discussing "aggressive friendship," it is worth mentioning instances where I have served as a weaver and the role weaving has played in my life.
Even before I fully understood the concept of weaving, I was already benefiting from the actions of weavers.
I had a friend whose child attended a public school in Washington, D.C. This child had a friend named James whose mother was facing challenges and did not have a place to live or enough food to eat. My friend’s family decided to open their home to James whenever he needed a place to stay. This act of kindness led James to invite another friend who was also in need of help. Soon enough, this chain continued, and by the time I visited their home in 2015, I was greeted by what seemed like a gathering of 40 individuals, mostly high school-aged, sitting around the dinner table. They had set up several mattresses in the house to accommodate the kids who stayed over.
Recently, we have begun highlighting "weaver educators" at , who are actively fostering a sense of community within and around schools. How do you envision educators, schools, and classrooms contributing to the concept of Weave?
A characteristic that I often notice among educators is their ability to truly see others and to feel seen themselves. It’s a skill that comes naturally to most teachers. When they look at a student, they not only see the present, but also the student’s potential. They possess the capacity to prioritize others and to guide students through their educational journey.
I remember a friend of mine whose daughter was struggling in second grade. One day, her teacher said, "You have a talent for thinking before you speak." This one comment completely transformed the girl’s year. She started to think, "The teacher sees me. The quality I perceived as a weakness, my social awkwardness, she perceives as a strength."
The same has held true in my own life. I had teachers who were skilled at these types of observations. In 11th grade, during high school English, I made a smug and foolish comment in Mrs. Dewsnap’s class. She said, "David, you’re relying on being glib. Stop that." Initially, I felt a sense of shame, as if she had called me out in front of the entire class. However, on the other hand, I felt honored because I realized that she truly understood me.
I strongly believe that teachers are focused on serving others and are an integral part of the community. A friend of mine often says, "Teaching is a community of truth." We are all in the classroom together, striving to uncover knowledge collectively. It’s not about me lecturing to you; it’s about us discovering together. Therefore, those who can transform a classroom into a community exemplify exceptional teaching.
Read Now: The story of a band teacher who maintained a sense of connection within his school community amidst the chaos of COVID-19.
What sets these weaver educators apart is their genuine effort to cultivate a community, rather than simply entering the building each day. Community is formed when individuals come together based on shared passions.
At Weave, we believe that culture changes when a small group of people discover a better way to live, inspiring others to follow suit. Our goal is to amplify the stories of those who have found a better path and to spread their message. When you read about or watch a video featuring a weaver, you might think, "Wow, they are truly remarkable. While I may not possess the same level of greatness, I can strive to be a little more remarkable." This motivation may propel you to invest more of yourself into community service.
Furthermore, Weave provides resources to these weavers through our Weaver Awards. Though not large grants, they can make a meaningful impact on smaller organizations.
Lastly, many weavers, who are dedicated to building community, often feel overwhelmed and lack support. They find themselves burdened with numerous community needs, yet they may not have anyone to turn to for guidance. Many have not been trained for this type of work. By bringing weavers together, they can educate and support one another. We are committed to fostering a sense of mutual support among them. (Weave has established the Weave Community online platform to facilitate connections among weavers.)
It’s interesting that you have identified this community of weavers just as our country appears to be growing increasingly divided. How do you reconcile what you witness through the Weave project with the divisive scenes commonly portrayed in the media?
I believe that our current division is widening due to partisan differences. It’s not that we disagree more now than we did previously; rather, it’s that we hold animosity towards one another to a greater degree.
Therefore, the issue lies not in our intellectual differences, but rather in our emotional responses. The problem arises from viewing others as "strangers" and internalizing negative narratives about them.
In my perspective, the current political polarization that I address in my professional role at the New York Times is a consequence of a social and psychological crisis. The individuals who are truly making an impact in resolving this crisis are what I refer to as "weavers" – those who are actively assisting others, demonstrating vulnerability, and teaching trust.
The level of trust within a society serves as a measure of its overall well-being. In the past generation, if individuals were asked, "Do you trust your neighbors?" around 60% of Americans would have replied positively. However, the current response rate has decreased to 30%. This decline indicates a diminishing trust among individuals. This is precisely why I view weavers as crucial agents who facilitate the development of trust within their communities.
Similar to many others, I initially believed that the COVID-19 pandemic would bring us closer together and inspire us to serve one another. I was prepared to write a story about how we all united during this challenging time. However, unfortunately, that story never materialized. I have struggled to find much evidence of people coming together amidst the pandemic. Instead, I have witnessed a fragmentation of society. The pandemic has taken its toll, resulting in negative social indicators such as incidents of unruly behavior on airplanes, increased drunk driving, instances of rudeness in stores, and a rise in hate crimes. These factors, including an overall increase in crime, serve as proof that this has been a period characterized by intense stress. When individuals are under stress, they are not capable of functioning at their best. Consequently, we are currently facing this unique challenge.
Nonetheless, during the early stages of the pandemic, I encountered a remarkable woman named Sarah Hemminger. She leads an organization called Thread in Baltimore, which supports teenagers. At the outset of the pandemic, she took swift action and established a food bank that eventually transformed into a community food distribution network. I spoke with her during a time when stress and fear levels were exceptionally high, and yet she confidently declared, "I was born for this." Some individuals inherently assume responsibility, regardless of their profession. Whether they are teachers, lawyers, or engaged in any other occupation, their worldview revolves around the notion of fixing problems. They are eager to pick up a piece of trash from the ground if they spot it.
Through their actions and the establishment of communal connections, these individuals come to realize a crucial insight that many successful people have already discovered – career achievements may help alleviate feelings of failure and anxiety, but they do not lead to long-lasting happiness.
I personally discovered this truth in my own life. I prioritized time over cultivating meaningful relationships. With numerous deadlines and commitments, I constantly focused on moving on to the next thing. I vividly recall a friend of mine describing her admiration for people who are willing to "linger" and invest time in relationships, and yet I was unable to do so. Consequently, my friendships and relationships suffered, as I was always in a rush, only allowing myself short interactions. Around eight years ago, during a period when my marriage ended, my children left for college, and I lacked genuine friendships, I experienced an intense loneliness. I did not have to conduct extensive research on the crisis of connection because it was evident in my own life and my small, unfulfilling apartment.
However, connections proved to be the solution. I was able to emerge from that period of loneliness with the support of friends, by opening myself up to them and seeking their assistance. Initially, I felt guilty for relying on them, but now I understand the power and significance of such moments. Now, when individuals turn to me for guidance, I feel deeply honored. The mission of Weave, the organization I work with, is strongly influenced by these personal experiences. Many of the weavers I have encountered have undergone similar transformative experiences that have inspired them to make a difference and prevent others from enduring similar hardships.
As I observe the younger generation, I notice that high school students have shown the greatest interest in Weave. They embrace Weave with great enthusiasm because they are deeply passionate about moral values and understand the crisis of connection on a personal level, especially in the present times. At this stage of their lives, they are eager to make a meaningful contribution.
To learn more about Brooks’ Weave: The Social Fabric Project, visit the Aspen Institute.
Please note that both the Weave Project and receive financial support from the Walton Family Foundation.
Related: Stay updated with the latest stories by signing up for newsletter. Receive stories like these directly in your inbox by subscribing to Newsletter.
