Welcome to The Fulcrum’s daily weekday e-newsletter where insiders and outsiders to politics are informed, meet, talk, and act to repair our democracy and make it live and work in our everyday lives.
Taking flight into difficult but meaningful conversations
It has been nearly two weeks since I spent five hours on a flight with my new friend, “Jane.” Last week I shared my experience in listening to Jane and my observations about her. This week, I want to share Jane’s impact on me and what I also observed about myself.
I was initially irritated when Jane didn’t read my “leave me alone” body language on the plane designed to message “leave me alone,” including my noise-canceling headphones, phone in hand, etc. As an introvert, I love the anonymity of air travel where I can go into my own bubble and be with my own thoughts. Once I realized that she was seeking human connection, I surrendered to the idea that there was a reason she was so insistent. What I didn’t mention in my column last week was the third person in our row of seats – a 40ish man who happened to agree with her on most topics. He was in and out of our conversation, alternately engaging, writing and sleeping.
The power of libraries to connect communities
People may hear the word "library" and imagine librarians sitting behind a circulation desk, reading a book and telling patrons to be quiet. What many folks may not know, is that most of us are spending our days imagining ways to transform our communities from the inside out. Do you want to know what countless library staff are really doing behind the scenes? Coordinating activities and programs that draw neighbors into a shared space to enter in conversations, exchange ideas, ask questions, tell their stories, and - in short - talk. We’re dreaming up ways to foster shared experiences for our neighbors and then putting them into action with programs and events that showcase the vibrant communities in which we live and the hard work that goes into them. One of the cornerstone programs that we facilitate are community conversations.
Libraries have been described as “America’s most democratic institution” and they are. Public libraries are a reflection of the communities, their values and their needs. Libraries are natural gathering places for the public because they are situated in their communities and provide open, free, safe spaces to be. Libraries invite people from an array of lived experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs to share space together and to engage in conversations where they can share their own stories, as well as listen to the stories of others. Libraries have unlimited potential to expand their community impact. When we bring our communities together in conversation, we connect people back to our shared humanity.
Podcast: Inequitable ability: Electoral and civic challenges faced by those with disabilities
In this episode, we reflect on inequity and varied levels of accessibility for persons of diverse abilities to engage respectfully in the electoral and civic process with disability advocate and Bridge Alliance intern Caleb Railsback.
Podcast: Break out of your bubble: Talk to a stranger
Most of us live comfortably in our bubbles, interacting with people who think and often look like us. We may sift out others who don’t fit our mold.
A long pandemic hasn’t helped: Covid has made many people wary of being around strangers, let alone talking to them. If you live in an urban area you operate by invisible rules where you pay just enough attention to a stranger, allowing each of you the space to carry on politely…and distantly. But our guest says taking the time to talk to people you don’t know can bring unexpected pleasures, and lead to more openness and tolerance.
