The light of understanding
A view of Wyman Lane in Woodstock, Vermont, on Thursday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Sunlight illuminating the path ahead is one of the more powerful images out in the countryside. It offers a calming, gentle presence, one of peace and vitality supplied for all, without limit.
Those last two words lay out the most comforting aspect of that image: abundance. That sunlight has no label, no price tag, no boundary — it just is. And no matter the weather which creeps in, or storms against it, those beams keep shining.
For me, it was a good time to be reminded of those more reassuring qualities. The news cycle remains heavy, and the political divide in the nation is still a daunting problem. It’s important to not only talk about the potential for unity — that potential should be demonstrated. To me, that's what happened during a recent discussion, “Hold America Together”, hosted online by the national nonprofit Braver Angels, which works to cultivate a greater understanding between those of different political persuasions.
The discussion I'm referring to took place a week after the U.S. Capitol siege, when tensions from that day remained quite raw. That's why it was particularly encouraging to hear this discussion, and one of the most heartfelt moments came during a conversation with U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Minnesota Democrat, and former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican. Phillips spoke about how, every day since the events of Jan. 6, he walks the halls of the Capitol thanking people for the work they do.
"There's something remarkable that happens when you express gratitude and that humility that goes with it, and that's how we experience repair and rehabilitation, and I think it's time that our country start expressing a little more gratitude for what we have, because it's precious, it's fragile, and it's in our hands," Phillips said.
That truly captured the spirit of the entire discussion, which also emphasized seeking out people of different views and talking to them, but also listening. As Gov. Herbert mentioned, "I think we need to seek first to understand, and then be understood."
Another encouraging aspect was that 4,000 people were listening in during this online event. True, that's not a huge part of the American population, but we have to begin somewhere when it comes to fixing the divide. Building new understanding between people is a good, strong foundation to start from, and it's uplifting to know there are groups taking the lead on this work and inviting others to help. Those genuine efforts, and the opportunities we each have to participate, are things to be grateful for, and they light the way to healing. But the work needs all of us to play a role and bear witness to each note of progress. There's no better time to live these words of the late civil rights champion, U.S. Rep. John Lewis: "Democracy is not a state. It is an act."
— Gareth Henderson
