This week I begin a six part series exploring the principles of nonviolence as understood and explained by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The principles provide wisdom and guidance for conflict reconciliation and offer us a path towards building the Beloved Community.
It is deeply poignant and equally painful that two legendary civil rights leaders, Reverend Cordy Tindell (C.T.) Vivian and Congressman John R. Lewis, died within hours of each other on July 17th.
if we believe that conversations bring us closer together, and that listening contributes to the overall success of a conversation, then we must prioritize stepping towards one another with the intent to receive what we hear.
Years ago my friend Wendy gave me a book entitled “Listening Is an Act of Love” edited by Dave Isay. The book is a compilation of personal stories collected by The StoryCorps Project. Since 2003 StoryCorps has worked, in the tradition of acclaimed historian Studs Terkel, to preserve and document oral histories nationwide through recorded conversations. The formula is simple: ask and listen with the intent to receive. The title of the book reminds us that listening is an action verb and through listening we honor and respect one another. read more...
By Connie Blunden read more...