By Sister Pat Murray, CSJ
October 3, 2014
Our afternoon stop was at the Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Charleston. After enjoying a wonderful meal from Bluegrass
Kitchen, a local restaurant which serves dishes made from ingredients naturally
grown/raised within West Virginia and the Appalachians we began greeting those
gathering for the Town Hall Meeting. About 75 people gathered (a number who had
travelled well over an hour) to participate in the forum. There was high energy
in the room as people shared in small groups about their hopes and concerns for
the future.
As the discussion hit the usual concerns of “big money”
politics, polarization of parties, and “information silos,” a real life example
of how easily well-intentioned conversations can lead to misunderstandings
occurred. Two participants felt disrespected by each other as they expressed
their differing opinions. Sadly, one of the participants chose to leave rather
than continue the discussion. I was struck by how often that seems to happen. I
was also struck by the realization that I too can be tempted to walk away from
the challenging conversations rather than to stay at the table seeking mutual
understanding.
After the gentleman left, an amazing shift happened in the
conversation as people began talking about building relationships. A gentleman
talked about how his father had been changed by his experience in World War II.
A young man who had grown up in WV went overseas as part of unit of men from
all over the country. He discovered that although there were many differences
the truly important things were what they valued in common – family, friends, and
faith. Finding a way to change our conversations, to see each other as people
who each have our own hopes and dreams, and hold so much in common was the
consensus first step toward changing the current political climate. The forum
ended with a thirteen-year-old speaking passionately and encouraging everyone
to participate in the election. Although not yet old enough to vote herself,
she was concerned enough about the future of our country to come to the forum
and encourage all of us to do our part.
As I stood in the church parking lot and watched the bus drive
away leaving WV, I was struck by the thought of the miles they had travelled so
far and the ones yet to come. By making this trip, Sr. Simone and the rest of
the full-time bus riders are indeed shifting the conversation by uniting all of
us in a sense of hope. Highlighting the wonderful services that are available
in the cities along the way and bringing people together to really listen to
one another is an amazing start. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend my
day on the bus.