New Orleans violence: conversation's role?

[Douglas D. Germann, Sr.]

John and Pat--

Thank you John and Pat for your kind words.

What we do in OST is an example of the kind of conversation, at least in my
experience, where persons are brought forth: people are listened into
speech, and especially into being really somebody. People who identify
themselves by things they oppose (and the people they oppose seem to be
things, not persons, from what I am seeing), probably do not see themselves
as persons, either. In other words, the "surface attributes" of which you
speak.

As you suggest, listening is probably the key to person-making. Really
listening to the person. Stepping to that place in between the two of you
where we are real, where truth is opened up and responded to.

When you speak of reflecting the physical expression of the person in front
of you, you are on to something, Pat. So many times I have had the lesson
that it makes most progress in a conversation if we verbalize what is most
obvious. Kind of a naming of the dead moose: "I'll bet if I had gone
through half of what you did, I would be as angry as you seem to be, John."
Something like that. But the key is probably love: saying whatever you care
in a way that expresses that you care.

Engage with care. But engage. Don't hijack a bus, Pat. But go to the
airport in your town and meet one or two of our own refugees, perhaps.

5 of us gathered in our church after services Sunday at a "cafe table" to
talk about how we can respond to Katrina. Engaging is the only thing I can
think to help.

                              :-Doug. Germann
                              Seeking people making community change.

*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html

To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist