I hear so many of my friends talk about social and political action these days. They are fired up after the rhetoric used during the presidential election campaign and the appointments in the coming Trump administration. I came across this song, shared by a friend of mine on Facebook.
So, yes. On the one hand, this is about struggle. And we need to stand strong for our core beliefs of right treatment of all people. At the same time, I had mixed feelings while listening to these words. My question is, how we can move beyond 'fight' and 'they' (implying an 'us versus them' world). I want to see what we can do as we reach across to others with whom we might at first seem to disagree. I think it's possible to stand strong and build bridges at the same time.
I thought about an article I read 15 years ago in the Boston Globe Magazine about some people having an incredible conversation. The organization that started that conversation has changed its name since then, to Essential Partners. I see their work and the work of others working on compassionate communication as the true key to advancing progressive causes. Sure, we need demonstrations on the streets and interviews on the news. But we also need this: millions of conversations among very small groups of people who understand how to turn down the heat and shed more light on our common humanity.
So, yes. On the one hand, this is about struggle. And we need to stand strong for our core beliefs of right treatment of all people. At the same time, I had mixed feelings while listening to these words. My question is, how we can move beyond 'fight' and 'they' (implying an 'us versus them' world). I want to see what we can do as we reach across to others with whom we might at first seem to disagree. I think it's possible to stand strong and build bridges at the same time.
I thought about an article I read 15 years ago in the Boston Globe Magazine about some people having an incredible conversation. The organization that started that conversation has changed its name since then, to Essential Partners. I see their work and the work of others working on compassionate communication as the true key to advancing progressive causes. Sure, we need demonstrations on the streets and interviews on the news. But we also need this: millions of conversations among very small groups of people who understand how to turn down the heat and shed more light on our common humanity.
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