Mosaic momentum
Some people have dismissed the city's Mosaic partnerships as a shallow exercise in feel-goodism and I don't doubt that they are right in some cases.
There probably are at least a few people who enrolled in the program because it looked good on their resumes. Or others who began the program and never finished it.
And still others who invested minimla time or effort in the initiative, which matches people from different cultures, races and backgrounds in an attempt to build better understanding.
But my Mosaic experience has been rich and rewarding. And I suspect that's the case with many others.
In fact, my "cluster," which consisted of periodic meetings of small groups of Mosaic partners, just kept right on meeting after the program had officially ended for our class in November.
The dialogues have become meangingful enough and the comfort level so high, we simply didn't want to stop.
This past Saturday morning's session covered a lot of ground, including a spirited discussion of the ongoing controversy in the Greensboro Police Department and the Rhino's publication of two hotly debated editorial cartoons depicting Muslims.
We didn't agree on many points. And that was perfectly OK. We listened. And we learned from one another.
Comments (4)
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Open, blunt and sincere communication is the key to understanding if it is just that: open, blunt and sincere. If it is 'politcally correct' feel good and friendly-hurt-no-feelings-or-sensitivies it serves no purpose. In fact, this type of dialog is harmful in that it is just this side of outright deceit. To be open and truthfully blunt coupled with sincerity needn't be harsh or in-your-face combative. It is however most neccessary if true understanding is to take place. These groups can therefore be good or bad depending on the level of truthfulness permitted above all other considerations.
Posted on February 20, 2006 11:27 AM
Allen,
How many people have been involved so far with the Mosaic Project? Is the plan for the Mosaic Project to keep expanding and include more folks each year until the numbers become significant?
Posted on February 20, 2006 12:24 PM
John:
In its first year, the program involved 90 pairs of community leaders. And, yes, there will be more partnerships involving more leaders.
Posted on February 20, 2006 12:57 PM
Brenda:
Well, I won't speak for the rest of the group, but I believe we were plenty blunt, but civil, with one another.
And we didn't just come there to hear ourselves talk; we also listened.
Posted on February 20, 2006 12:59 PM