The Other

"The Other"

Reflections on the Bridging Our Divide Dialogue event Friday May 18, 2018 in Olympia, WA.

This writing includes a word study, a couple of song references, a picture, and riddle.

Other (n)  A person or group of people viewed as intrinsically different from and alien to oneself.

Bridge (n)  to shorten a gap.

 

Divide (v)  disagree or cause to disagree.

The word “other” was in one of the questions on a discussion sheet used at an event that was held recently in Olympia, WA.

I don’t usually write out thoughts (or share them) because working at a school and marriage takes many of my waking hours. I had a day off due to a job interview, so I found a quiet place in the forest and wrote down thoughts that wouldn’t leave my head since the event. I know this may be a picky, small thing to write about, but I have experienced how just one word that is read or heard can change a person’s perception about themselves or people around them.

In my opinion, the word “other” does not contribute to bridging any divides. I think about how current politics, or at least what I read and hear of it, seem to be polarizing. People can have their own opinion, as this is an opinion piece, but getting angry and even unfriending people on the infamous Facebook. Coming together in person to calmly talk about differences is important. 

We are all one people—well, at least I believe that from what I have seen and experienced in life. The song by Mandisa says we all bleed the same. How can we bleed the same, yet have so many different and many times opposite (sometimes angry) viewpoints on life?

I see the world not getting physically smaller, but more people entering this grand stage we call earth. I believe we need less of the “other” and more of the “we” if life as we know it is going to continue. Our children and grandchildren are counting on this. 

I believe that including a question on the discussion list using the word “other” does not help bridge any divides between people present in the room—the “progressives” and “conservatives.” My understanding of the Bridging Our Divide event was to physically bring together people who claim to be “progressive” and “conservative." I had very engaging conversations with people at two different tables, but progressive or conservative was never explicitly identified on each person. I appreciated that--not stereotyping.

This writing was just an exploration and reflection of what my reaction to the word “other” has been. Remove the word “other” from the questions in the discussion list? I don’t know if that would do anything to help the bridging efforts, but I appreciate the event and would probably attend another one if it should happen in the Olympia area in the future.

Now the riddle. What always ends everything?

Interesting web site that tries to give both “sides” of a news story
www.allsides.com

Bridging Our Divide web site
www.bridgingourdivide.org

Comments, feedback, suggestions, gripes are welcomed and encouraged. Thanks.