Is This What Patriotism Looks Like?

Conflict is REALLY old. I’m sure the first animals knew it well and for that matter so did the first organisms and plants, all competing for turf. But with sophisticated human minds, came the potential for peaceful resolutions of those inevitable conflicts. What evolved over the millennia was a fork in the road. One path led toward making concessions — small or large, which made room for creative compromises. The other fork, with its roots in antiquity emanated - “hold your ground,” and that was a very narrow and costly path.

Over time the first path became vulnerable to claims of weakness while the second was vulnerable to claims of stupidity and short-sightedness. More times than not however, things were more complicated than that. We humans gravitate toward being a little simple-minded. In 2023, really simple-minded would be more accurate, and that’s why a more reasoned and comprehensive approach to conflict is particularly important now!

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A women named Paula Green spent much of her life dealing with the complexities of conflict and their resolution. As a psychologist, peace educator and mentor, she most recently facilitated the meetings of two groups shortly after the 2016 elections. The one group was from rural Western Massachusetts and the second was from coal country in Eastern Kentucky - a total of twenty-five people. As you might suspect, they each had their respective political “leanings.” They met for three long and immersive weekends in 2017 - 2019 and via zoom during the pandemic. This group has become known as Hands Across The Hills and is now a 501 (C)(3) Non-profit.

The leaders of the program have described their work as follows:

“The heart of each of our long weekend gatherings is structured dialogue, in which feelings are expressed honestly and deeply, creating trust and care for each other. In addition to these face to face sessions, we experience each other’s community and family life through potluck meals, music, excursions and home stays. 

Hands Across the Hills has melted away stereotypes so that we can see each other’s human face. The bonds between us have become stronger than our political differences, although those differences remain. We care about each other as friends.”

These committed Americans are making a serious effort at chipping away the walls that separate us. It would be naive to think that a couple of weeks spent with people from another cultural world would make them want to ditch their roots and grow new ones. However, it is much harder to demonize decent salt-of-the-earth people that you know, than it is strangers.

Getting a better idea of WHY people think as they do, entails first acknowledging that We Have ALL Been Indoctrinated (click here). Only then can we get past the emotional hurdles that prevent meaningful discussions of common ideals.

I strongly encourage anyone who’s interested to check out the Hands Across The Hills website- Click HERE for a more in-depth picture of their work and RESOURCES for better conversations about divisive topics.

Please let me know what - Y O U - think. Do you believe the above type of workshops could have ANY effect on our divided country?

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