A victory with concern and humility

There is talk in many settings about healing that must be undertaken between those who think they "won" the recent election and those who "lost." A fair-minded person might say that both "sides" could claim both victory and defeat in the very divided vote.

I would very much like to see this healing implemented, rather than only discussed in the broadest terms.

Our "sides" - and this concept of "sides" is a most divisive one - have stopped listening to one another. We have demonized each other as the enemy of one another and of our country. We look for differences and for weaknesses in the "others" and not for common interests and strengths.

I don't have the answers for how people who now feel so separated can come together for dialogue, rather than for loud counter protests and counter demonstrations. Yet I believe that all issues - even the hottest of individual, community, and world conflicts - are "speakable" if participants have the patience and the persistence to sit together, over time, and keep the conversation going. I wish I knew with confidence how to begin to make this happen. Maybe there is a way within our local communities to model this for the larger world.

I would describe myself as a liberal in most ways. I would very much like to meet with people who consider themselves to be conservatives and who also seek to invite the ideas of reconciliation and learning among us.

Paul Safyan

Wheeling