Most change happens below the conscious level. For years I helped run an anti racism workcamp program in Philadelphia. Ostensibly the work at hand was to fix up broken down houses in the city's poorest neighborhoods. But the larger agenda was always to connect people of different races, world views and life experiences so they could hear each other and grow closer while engaged in a common cause.

The people who opened their homes for our workcampers were very aware that they were opting for the slow-boat method of home repair. Most enjoyed the dialogue with the people who came to work with them on their homes. We saw them, and they knew themselves to be a source of help in the process of moving along the national conversation on issues of racism and injustice.

I think that sort of model, working indirectly on the matter at hand, is ultimately more effective in finding common ground and tearing down the walls that divide us than is the effort to take on these things head-on.

Most of us humans are not reasonable. Even when we think, and can "prove" that our arguments are sound, we're usually arguing from a passion or emotion that we cannot fully fathom. That's been the problem with this attempt at dialogue I believe. Plus, while writing is easier because one can respond in a more deliberate manner, it doesn't help to be so removed from each other. Offense can be taken where no offense was intended. Also, while it's quite messy to have such conversations face to face, it is probably more effective.
Speechless | Homepage | 04.26.05 - 10:23 am | #