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Beth Malow's avatar

I'm so proud of my co-author for writing such an impactful piece. It's difficult sometimes to recognize that building bridges across differences includes "unequivocally sharing our own view," which can be received with kindness in the context of "listening with curiosity to someone whose views conflict with our own." Thank you, Becky!

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Mary Ellen Griffin's avatar

Hi, Becky, I enjoyed today's clear, straight-to-the-point post. This is really important stuff you are sharing. I think that it is so important for all of us -- across the political spectrum-- to cultivate these skills to start conversations with compassionate listening, to develop rapport and trust so that we, too, can find a hearing for our experiences and values. This enables us to find common ground and build alliances. It is the antidote to polarization and "cancel culture." As you described, it is also important to assess when integrity requires us to take a public stand and, in the words of a Crosby Stills and Nash song, "Let Our Freak Flag Fly." Thank you for that!! Yesterday I listened to a podcast interview with social scientist Hahrie Han, about her 2024 book, "Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church." It is the story of courageous, compassionate folks building bridges across race at The Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Those involved were able to organize local voters to pass a referendum that RAISED local taxes and made universal preschool available for all youngsters in Cincinnati-- in 2016-- the same year that Trump won Ohio by an 8-point margin. I think you and your Substack followers would really like the book. And if you want to listen to the podcast, here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/block-build/id1738919989?i=1000713106017

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