Inkwell: Authors and Artists

    
Monica Guzman, who works with Braver Angels, spoke at the
International Symposium on Online Journalism last April. That's how
I learned of the organization. Her website is
<https://www.moniguzman.com/>. She's written a related book, "I
Never Thought of It That Way," <https://www.moniguzman.com/book>. 

"She shows you how to overcome the fear and certainty that surround
us to finally do what only seems impossible: understand and even
learn from people in your life whose whole worldview is different
from or even opposed to yours.

"Drawing from cross-partisan conversations she's had, organized, or
witnessed everywhere from the echo chambers on social media to the
wheat fields in Oregon to raw, unfiltered fights with her own family
on election night, Monica shows how you can put your natural sense
of wonder to work for you immediately, finding the answers you need
by talking with people---rather than about them---and asking the
questions you want, curiously."
  

    

sounds nice.

here in Sisters, Oregon we have C4C, citizens for community. i've heard
they sometimes have trouble getting conservatives interested in
conversations, but some do show up. in the last couple of years it feels
like they do broader gatherings, panel discussions, put on a fourth of july
picnic, that kind of thing. it does bring people together.

it's an honor to live in a place where people try so hard to create and
maintain community beyond their silos. we don't always succeed, but it is
way different from what i've seen elsewhere. sometimes i miss being in a
blue bubble! but i learn more here. 
  

    



Braver Angels is mentioned in this opinion piece in the New York Times
(gift link):



https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/opinion/couples-therapy-political-divide.ht
ml?unlocked_article_code=1.dU4.wBJA.ShqaqtjCATmD&smid=url-share


Dr. Orna Guralnik is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst who serves
on the faculty of New York University’s Postdoctoral Program in
Psychoanalysis and is the therapist on the Showtime documentary series
“Couples Therapy.”

here she looks at how we use "splitting" to create an us versus them 
dynamic both in personal relationships and as a country. worth a read.