Street Roots • Jan. 20-26, 2017
LET'S TALK, from page 8
are less likely to learn'from those we agree with
than from those we disagree. It’s much easier |
to make arguments about the way things should
be when we aren’t hearing directly from the >
people who are affected by certain policies. The
more we know, engage with, listen to, care
about people in contexts different from our
own, the push for our policies will take in
account the full spectrum of people living there.
Policy is hard. That’s why we fight about it. The
fuller sense we can have about policy, the more
likely it is we’ll move in a positive direction.
A.W.: In a lot of political conversations, we’re
trying to change a person’s mind. You seem to be
saying that’s not an effective end game?
A.D.: We should all ask ourselves, when did I
last change my mind? What were the conditions
that led'to changing my mind? It’s a tough thing
- it’s hard to change your mind. You have to be
comfortable doing that. It’s less about changing
minds, but changing attitude or changing the
relationship with the person. Instead of thinking
that my idea is right and that his idea is wrong,
can we laugh together about a story we both
find funny? Can we genuinely listen and show
that person has been heard? Even if they don’t
change their mind, it leads to greater likelihood
that there will be greater trust down the road.
News
What are the small decisions thát can get
people tó do it?
It’s funny that we have to make efforts to
remove barriers that will make it more likely
that people Will be with each other. Which is to
be heard? We all want that, no matter what our
political beliefs are.
A.W.: We seem to be living in a period of time
where this sort of discourse is not valued, at least
at the federal level of politics. What do you think
the long-term ramifications are for not having the
sort of conversations you’re talking about?
A.D.: First, I would say that I don’t
completely agree with the premise of the
question. I think those .conversations are
happening. The conversations that get the most
attention are from the loudest mouthpieces.
The debates, during the campaign season, were
not conversations. In a way, it’s at the local level
and the grassroots community, we need to keep
listening to each other and hope that builds.
Oregon has a strong tradition of people getting
around the table and talking.
A.W.: You seem very optimistic about our
capacity to connect and understand one another.
All signs would point away from that.
A.D.: We have plenty of capacity to connect
to each other. It doesn’t mean we do it all the
time. To continue to tell each other and tell
ourselves,
“look we’re so different. Look, we
A.D.: It is basic. We’re a nonprofit. Funders
can hardly talk to each other.” I’m not sure who
always ask, “what is your unique value
that helps, nor do I think it’s accurate. In our
proposition?” We’re trying to get people to
work, I see people coming across differences all
listen to each other, connect to each other,
the time. Can we remove the obstacles to doing
think fresh. It’s increasingly important now.
that? I mostly grew up in Chicago. I would
We’ve got to think of tactical ways to do it.
spend summers working for the Forest Service
A.W.: What are some of the tactical ways to do
out in the Northwest in sparsely populated
areas. We would ride in pickup trucks out to the
it?
worksite together and come out the same way.
A.D.: By answering, how do you get people
There’s plenty to talk about Of course there is
who disagree with each other in a room
suspicion of the other. But if you don’t decide
together? Who’s doing the inviting? How are you beforehand that they’re objectionable from top
doing the outreach? How are you setting up the
to bottom, there’s an opening. That paves the
chairs in the room?
way for a lot of good things to happen.
Tactics sound much more serious than it is.
Page 9
Tel-me-vision
by Aileen McPherson
-
It’s the magic picture box in the living room,
they call it a tel-me-vision,
all sorts of people live there
with lots of stories to tell, but mostly they
sell, sell, sell, that’s when they yell.
It never fails, how much they wail,
BUY my stuff/it’s on SALE, you WANT it NOW!
Ask yourself can I live without it and how?
NO! you say, I must buy it today,
it’s grand, it’s new, I must have it before any of YOU.;
So, I see my family, sitting and eating in front of the TV,
watching stories of dramas old, horrors bold, histories retold,
and news cold.
Matters not, it’s all rot, nothing’s real, it’s all zeal
Just lots of random entertainment to go with a mfeal.
And so they appeal, to all they can,
with a flashy smile and waving hand,
Emulate us and your life will be as grand.
It’s all lies, can’t they understand
It is not grand, just an entertaining scam.
A.W.: It really comes down to treating another
person with basic decency and respect.
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