Check this out, ladies -- here are a couple of folks who are up to something REALLY COOL:
Mona Grayson (Red Tent Woman of the Month for July) told me about a young couple, Rachel and John, who are on a road trip for the whole month of August to visit states that voted Republican in the last election. Why? Here's an excerpt from Rachel's homepage:
"The idea is to learn about and explore political viewpoints of all varieties and to understand them more deeply. The goal of the project is not about getting anyone to change their mind -- rather it is about us, as participants, questioning our thoughts, learning, and understanding politics more deeply. And it's also about opening up dialogues and, perhaps, building connection across political lines. This idea is inspired by my experience with The Work of Byron Katie, and my love of open-minded conversation."
The plan is pretty simple: Rachel and John are going to hang out in public areas with a sign saying "Want to talk about politics?" (see photo above) and see what happens.
Mona hosted them on the first night of their trip and sat with them at the beach with their signs the next day. Visit Mona's blog to read about what happened.
I am so fascinated by this project -- particularly because it combines what could be a volitile subject (politics) with a commitment to personal growth (The Work of Byron Katie) and a sincere desire to bring people together for honest, respectful dialogue.
Reading about the project made me stop and think about my own biases and beliefs. And wonder about what I'd do if I saw someone sitting on a bench with a sign that said, "Want to talk about politics?"
To be honest, yesterday I'd probably have kept walking, but now I think I'd stop and ask some questions. The idea of people being so open and willing to engage without needing to force their views on someone else gives me hope; it makes me wonder what might happen if it wasn't just two people, but ten or a hundred or thousands of us who were reaching out and asking, "What do you think? Can you help me understand a different point of view?"
Makes you wonder what might be possible in the Middle East, doesn't it?
If you happen to see Rachel and John, I hope you'll stop and talk to them. Tell them the women of Red Tent say YA YA!
UPDATE (8/14/06)
Rachel is currently in West Virginia, after making her way through Kansas, Ohio and Texas, where John stopped off. BE SURE to check in with her at her blog (click here). I would SO love to figure out a way to get her featured on NPR's "This American Life" -- does anyone know anyone who knows someone at NPR???
UPDATE #2 (8/14/06)
As soon as I asked that last question, I thought, "Well, why wait for someone who knows someone?" So I poked around on the "This American Life" website until I found an area about how to pitch a story idea, and I fired up the old e-mail and PITCHED IT. What the heck, eh?! We'll see what happens. In the mean time, if you DO know someone who knows someone, it wouldn't hurt to pass it along.
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