I grew up in the Bronx, in a district represented by Mario Biaggi. Biaggi was eventually convicted of, I don't remember exactly what corruption charges, but I promise you he would have been re-elected by his constituents if that had been a legal option. None of them cared.
You know what they cared about? When they called his district office, a real person answered and listened to whatever complaint or problem they had. He was famous for doing his best to help his constituents; they were faithful to him for it. Sort of like a Godfather ...
I'm reminded of a story from NPR about a fellow named Daryl Davis. If Mr. Davis, a black man in the southern U.S. can befriend and dine with Ku Klux Klan members, and turn their hatred into (at least) acceptance, anything is possible. Here's a link:
Thank you for the story & the link so we can all check it out, Byron.
It seems almost impossible, doesn't it? How do we make sense of what's going on? Even in our families & communities? Despair is not an option. A very good read is Heather Cox Richardson's book, Democracy Awakening, to gain historical perspective in a clear, concise & cogent telling so that we are informed. And then seeing who we can sit with: how did you arrive at the position? can you say more? and what else about that? Perhaps in time tolerance ............ one never knows how powerful one person's gesture will be for the good.
I grew up in the Bronx, in a district represented by Mario Biaggi. Biaggi was eventually convicted of, I don't remember exactly what corruption charges, but I promise you he would have been re-elected by his constituents if that had been a legal option. None of them cared.
You know what they cared about? When they called his district office, a real person answered and listened to whatever complaint or problem they had. He was famous for doing his best to help his constituents; they were faithful to him for it. Sort of like a Godfather ...
I keep coming back to this notion: people want to be seen., heard & listened to.
I'm reminded of a story from NPR about a fellow named Daryl Davis. If Mr. Davis, a black man in the southern U.S. can befriend and dine with Ku Klux Klan members, and turn their hatred into (at least) acceptance, anything is possible. Here's a link:
https://www.npr.org/2017/08/20/544861933/how-one-man-convinced-200-ku-klux-klan-members-to-give-up-their-robes
Thank you for the story & the link so we can all check it out, Byron.
It seems almost impossible, doesn't it? How do we make sense of what's going on? Even in our families & communities? Despair is not an option. A very good read is Heather Cox Richardson's book, Democracy Awakening, to gain historical perspective in a clear, concise & cogent telling so that we are informed. And then seeing who we can sit with: how did you arrive at the position? can you say more? and what else about that? Perhaps in time tolerance ............ one never knows how powerful one person's gesture will be for the good.