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West Virginia - Town Hall

Town Hall in Charleston, WV

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.