RESOURCES
Text In a world of shouting, of 24/7 news and sensationalized stories, where we exist in bubbles that only reinforce our very human tendency towards confirmation bias, we often want to be louder than the others, to be heard above the din. And it is important to feel heard. But more important is to hear. There is a need for the prophet and the righteous warrior. There is also great need for the peacemaker and the healer. The work of reconciliation is unglamorous and thankless, often. And long. Reconciliation does not come without sacrifice and without the anguish of hearing another’s story and facing your role in their pain. Reconciliation also means sharing that pain and granting forgiveness. It is not easy. Whether we seek redress for the injustices borne of slavery and racial prejudice or we strive to find solutions to problems of enduring poverty and hunger with those who disagree with us, we must find ways to hear the other while learning to speak so that we, too, are heard.
Seeing the Other not as enemy but as potential partner for the future is the first step in moving beyond fear, anger and hate. When we see the ourselves in the other, we begin to speak with civility and clarity. When our words are measured and laced with humanity, we can engage in civic discourse that finds answers and healing.
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BOOKS
Exclusion and Embrace by Miroslav Volf
Journey Towards Reconciliation
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