I appreciate your words of reason. I've been angry and sad, written and deleted so many notes and posts. Even though I'm hours away from you in my small, northern MN community, truly amazing people are terrified of being harassed. I am furious that conditions exist to cause people in my community to experience these feelings in a place that should be safe and welcoming.
The polarity between sides is so thick, one can almost physically feel it in the air. I don't have the capacity to hold these conversations yet, but I'm trying to get there. I think I need to read your article a few more times.
I don't typically respond to mass emails such as this, but your sincerity emanates throughout your message and the vulnerability it required begs to be acknowledged. It appears you and I view the ICE operation in MN similarly (I was born in the Twin Cities in 1968) and share a similar perspective on this issue. Consensus obviously invites cordiality. However, I think I'd still have felt compelled to respond if this wasn't the case. There is a dire lack of civil engagement and discourse in our society, and people seem to have adopted a tribal mentality. Seeking to simply understand one another and searching for common ground is essential if we hope to change this, even if the likelihood of changing another's mind is minimal. I'm glad you're having these challenging and meaningful conversations.
Great advice, I lived my whole life doing this. I’m never been one for controversy, but I do like a good meeting of different minds, but only if it’s respectful. Tread gracefully these are dangerous times.
Well said, thanks for putting the time in. I find these days it’s easy to be overwhelmed no matter which side of the fence on is on. It’s empowering to do something within our communities, however that may take shape, online or in town.
As an aside, my daughter who is a pastor in NJ, came to the Twin Cities for the protests on the 22nd and 23rd. She worked on the same, or a similar program to bring food to folks hiding in their homes.
Hank, a brave and needed post. You have put into words what we Americans have lost at the political level - the ability to discuss/debate and listen to the other side. We are so tribal right now we can't get anything accomplished. If someone doesn't 100% agree with us, then they are the enemy. We'll believe "our side's" lies without question, ignoring things we can plainly see. We are on a yo-yo, moving from one extreme to the other, unduly influenced by social media and special interest spending.
Thank you for this post. I appreciate your openness and willing to have a conversation. It would have been easier to just ignore those messages. I might not agree with a lot of things that are happening and what we see in the news or social media, but must of the time we don't know the full story, or we don't live the reality someone else is living. I also don't agree with everything you post but I really like your recipes :D. Have a wonderful day sir
Thank you. It's a hard path to find, let alone walk, and I admit, I've been avoiding it. But you're right: it must be done if all of us are to survive...
In discussion with someone yesterday, both of us struggling with (previously) close family due to current events, the disappointment congealed into one line: Shared listening and reflective conversation is all we're asking of them, and it's seemingly too much to ask.
The fourth category you describe is where the real work happens. I've had mabye three of those conversations in the past year and they're absolutly draining but worth it. The framework of assertion, counterpoint, acknowledge unknowns, find common ground is something I wish more people practiced. Most online spaces reward the dopamine hit of dunking rather than the slow work of actual understanding.
I appreciate your words of reason. I've been angry and sad, written and deleted so many notes and posts. Even though I'm hours away from you in my small, northern MN community, truly amazing people are terrified of being harassed. I am furious that conditions exist to cause people in my community to experience these feelings in a place that should be safe and welcoming.
The polarity between sides is so thick, one can almost physically feel it in the air. I don't have the capacity to hold these conversations yet, but I'm trying to get there. I think I need to read your article a few more times.
I don't typically respond to mass emails such as this, but your sincerity emanates throughout your message and the vulnerability it required begs to be acknowledged. It appears you and I view the ICE operation in MN similarly (I was born in the Twin Cities in 1968) and share a similar perspective on this issue. Consensus obviously invites cordiality. However, I think I'd still have felt compelled to respond if this wasn't the case. There is a dire lack of civil engagement and discourse in our society, and people seem to have adopted a tribal mentality. Seeking to simply understand one another and searching for common ground is essential if we hope to change this, even if the likelihood of changing another's mind is minimal. I'm glad you're having these challenging and meaningful conversations.
Great advice, I lived my whole life doing this. I’m never been one for controversy, but I do like a good meeting of different minds, but only if it’s respectful. Tread gracefully these are dangerous times.
Thanks for the inspiration, Hank.
thank you for doing the hard work..
yes, I grew up in S. Africa during apartheid, and this is exactly like that. we emigrated to the USA thinking it couldn't happen here. and yet.
I have lost followers. However, I have had 4 exchanges like this too. Oh, and one name calling All Caps threat.😳
Well said, thanks for putting the time in. I find these days it’s easy to be overwhelmed no matter which side of the fence on is on. It’s empowering to do something within our communities, however that may take shape, online or in town.
This is how the tide really does turn.
Every little bit of true conversation changes lives. Always.
So True well said.
Thanks, Hank. Important to turn the temp down.
As an aside, my daughter who is a pastor in NJ, came to the Twin Cities for the protests on the 22nd and 23rd. She worked on the same, or a similar program to bring food to folks hiding in their homes.
Hank, a brave and needed post. You have put into words what we Americans have lost at the political level - the ability to discuss/debate and listen to the other side. We are so tribal right now we can't get anything accomplished. If someone doesn't 100% agree with us, then they are the enemy. We'll believe "our side's" lies without question, ignoring things we can plainly see. We are on a yo-yo, moving from one extreme to the other, unduly influenced by social media and special interest spending.
Hank, Thank you for the recipe we all need now. The ingredients are hard to find but there are no substitutions allowed.
Thank you for this post. I appreciate your openness and willing to have a conversation. It would have been easier to just ignore those messages. I might not agree with a lot of things that are happening and what we see in the news or social media, but must of the time we don't know the full story, or we don't live the reality someone else is living. I also don't agree with everything you post but I really like your recipes :D. Have a wonderful day sir
Thank you. It's a hard path to find, let alone walk, and I admit, I've been avoiding it. But you're right: it must be done if all of us are to survive...
In discussion with someone yesterday, both of us struggling with (previously) close family due to current events, the disappointment congealed into one line: Shared listening and reflective conversation is all we're asking of them, and it's seemingly too much to ask.
The fourth category you describe is where the real work happens. I've had mabye three of those conversations in the past year and they're absolutly draining but worth it. The framework of assertion, counterpoint, acknowledge unknowns, find common ground is something I wish more people practiced. Most online spaces reward the dopamine hit of dunking rather than the slow work of actual understanding.