Getting everyone to the table
After the first town-hall meeting to discuss the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, eight days ago, I had a number of thoughts, but probably the one most on my mind since then has been this:
The people who were in that room needed to hear from people who weren't in that room -- that is, people who are skeptical of, or even hostile toward, the T&R process.
And vice versa.
And so I've wondered, to myself, to Steve Sumerford of the co-sponsoring Greensboro Public Library and to some e-mail correspondents I've heard from: Is there anything that can be done to ensure that both supporters and skeptics are represented among speakers at the next such town-hall meeting (March 11)?
I'm a reporter, not an organizer, so it's not my place to line up such people. At the same time, having lived here coming up on 20 years, I have roots and a stake in this community. If any good -- any reconciliation -- can come out of this process, I'd like for it to. But I don't see that happening without a broader range of voices at the table.
Comments (2)
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What do you do when people who should be at the table refuse to come?
What about those whose agenda is to stand on the outside and lob grenades?
The most we can do is to let folks know the doors are open and that they are welcomed to attend. It is up to the person to decide where in the process they belong. But if they don't participate in something that has proven itself to be highly participatory, then they shouldn't complain about the process later. They will. But they shouldn't.
Posted on December 11, 2006 11:42 AM
Lex, I like your suggestion that the Greensboro Public Library should put together an event, possibly a panel discussion that could more fully represent the diversity of opinions in our community around the T&R process, the Report and Nov.3, 1979. The Library did a good job hosting a difficult discussion, prompted by the Danish cartoon controversy, about the issues surrounding "free speech" and greater sensitivity to our communities cultural and religious differences. That program was a good format that could be used as a model for a fuller community discussion on the T&R process and the Report.
Also the N&R or a joint event sponsored by the Carolina Peacemaker, Rhino Times and the N&R could attempt to bring the wide diversity of voices together for a true community discussion of the T&R process, the Report and Nov. 3rd. The T&R Commission was able to attract some diverse statement givers because they invited speakers with different perspectives. I do think to attract folks with many different views to discuss the T&R process and the Report will require some creative planning. So far the T&R process has remained somewhat insular and for whatever reasons has primarily attracted a relatively small group of "like minded" participants in Greensboro.
On page 23 of the T&R Report it states: "This definition of the lenses through which to view the tragedy is by nature subjective and different authors may have chosen different contexts to reveal. Ours is but one among a multitude of interpretations." It is important to give voice to these different interpretations in a format that respects our differences.
Posted on December 12, 2006 10:45 AM