I appreciate this as a grass-roots initiative, and think it may be a great way to begin dialogue in communities. Interestingly, I think actually getting this started will be the hardest part, because everyone would have to leave their emotions at the door, and try to combine with an open mind, and open ears. If those who believe the id…
I appreciate this as a grass-roots initiative, and think it may be a great way to begin dialogue in communities. Interestingly, I think actually getting this started will be the hardest part, because everyone would have to leave their emotions at the door, and try to combine with an open mind, and open ears. If those who believe the ideology of our current administration come in with that attitude, it own't work, because you get into a situation where there is only shouting and accusation. R Dooley, perhaps you could expound on how you think these conversations could be started?
And there are many others that I and others have mentioned. Some have been active for months. They occur at all levels: neighborhoods, communities, towns, regional and state coalitions of smaller, local groups working together. It's exciting, and it is encouraging. Alexander, look around your own community and find out what is going on. Often Inter-faith groups initiate this kind of discussion, and even if you are not religious, that is often a good place to start, because they pull together not just faith groups, but other kinds of community based discussions that spread out from there. Some of our people join organizations with a conservative bent, and work with them on projects that are meaningful and non-partisan. You get to know people, build trust. It creates room for more understanding of what other people's underlying concerns are.
I appreciate this as a grass-roots initiative, and think it may be a great way to begin dialogue in communities. Interestingly, I think actually getting this started will be the hardest part, because everyone would have to leave their emotions at the door, and try to combine with an open mind, and open ears. If those who believe the ideology of our current administration come in with that attitude, it own't work, because you get into a situation where there is only shouting and accusation. R Dooley, perhaps you could expound on how you think these conversations could be started?
Aside from the suggestions in my comment, check this out: “America in One Room”project. You can google it - I find it a very interesting idea.
And there are many others that I and others have mentioned. Some have been active for months. They occur at all levels: neighborhoods, communities, towns, regional and state coalitions of smaller, local groups working together. It's exciting, and it is encouraging. Alexander, look around your own community and find out what is going on. Often Inter-faith groups initiate this kind of discussion, and even if you are not religious, that is often a good place to start, because they pull together not just faith groups, but other kinds of community based discussions that spread out from there. Some of our people join organizations with a conservative bent, and work with them on projects that are meaningful and non-partisan. You get to know people, build trust. It creates room for more understanding of what other people's underlying concerns are.