BUILDING BRIDGES OVER BIAS THROUGH BOOKS

 

Facilitated discussion of true stories of transforming fear, anger

& false ideas between groups and how they can assist

in the quest for interfaith, interracial & international harmony.  

 

CONTACT: Liberty Goodwin 401-351-9193,friendliberty@quakerworks.net

 

 

Resources:   Excerpts from  “A Deadly Misunderstanding: A Congressman’s Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide”, “Not By the Sword:  How a Cantor & His Family Transformed a Klansman”, “Victories Without Violence”, “Blood Brothers”, & the “Bullying Discussion Manual.”

 

This interest group will examine the ways in which books can be used to explore responses to prejudice and conflict - addressing “isms” based on race, religion, nationality, etc.  Although we can’t do the thorough analysis of each book or excerpt possible with an ongoing book discussion group, we’ll look at some sample methods and materials that can be helpful for such a purpose.  Note that the various components of this kind of plan may be used in different order as seems desirable.  For example, in our model session, we are beginning with the non-violent principles and winding up with broader philosophical points.  It would be equally legitimate to reverse the two.  And, of course, there is much additional material that could be useful.

 

Friends are encouraged to bring these resources and ideas back to their home Meetings, with the thought of starting a “Building Bridges” book discussion group in their communities, possibly (preferably) through interfaith cooperation .

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INTRODUCTION.  PRINCIPLES OF NON-VIOLENCE

(From the Manual for Discussion of Bullying, included with “The Rock” video)

 

The leader will present some generalizations about non-violent responses, their common characteristics and how they may be successful.  Friends will be asked to keep these in mind while looking at the true stories discussed later, and consider which principles apply in the various situations.

 

1.   SURPRISE/CREATIVITY: The first step in change —                                                the potential victim does something unexpected, forcing the aggressor to stop a minute and think about it.  Result: Window of Opportunity. 

 

2.   COURAGE: Great courage is needed to approach an adversary without weapon or threat. Sometimes it impresses the other enough to transform the situation all by itself 

 

3.   HOPE/SEEKING THE GOOD: The realization that a measure of good lies hidden in the other empowers one to reach out to him. His potential to respond offers the possibility of change for the better. 

 

4.   YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE: The same words can bring an opposite reaction if said in different ways. Peacefulness and respect are contagious.

 

5.   WORKING FOR A WIN-WIN SOLUTION: Using sensitivity, active listening, understanding, clearness, honesty, openness, caring, and sometimes firmness to reach a mutually acceptable resolution to the conflict. 

 

6.   TRANSFORMING LOVE: The greatest power for change in any human being is real, accepting, unselfish love. It can touch the other in a miraculous way, bringing harmony in its wake. 

 

Obviously, not all of these will happen in every situa­tion. Carrying out numbers 5 and 6 are quite difficult. However, even just #1, which I call the “Surprise Ef­fect”, can often be enough to provide a remarkable shift of events.  In each of the book excerpts provided, one situation and response depicted.  Many others are possible.

 

 

SAMPLE MATERIALS FOR A BUILDING BRIDGES WORKSHOP

 

RACIAL PREJUDICE:  Bullying Discussion Manual:  Carlotta & school integration.

Victories Without Violence:  Bayard Rustin & the restaurant owner;

KLU KLUX KLANSMAN:  Not By The Sword, Telephone Messages, Klansman;

 

RELIGIOUS DIVISION:  A Deadly Misunderstanding:  Apologizing in Libya, The Other Holy Book, The Secret Language of the Bible  

 

METHODS OF ADDRESSING STORIES

 

1.  Empathy:  Participants choose characters they wish to pretend to be, and respond as..  They are asked to think of what comments and/or questions their character might have about what they have seen and heard.  Responses:  Each person, “in character”, gives their reaction to and opinion about what they have seen.

 

2.  Role Plays:  Participants improvise several role plays based on the story.  They may continue in the same character, or choose a new one.

 

3.  “Let’s Go Swimming” - Divide into groups by religious or racial categories:  Blacks, Hispanics, Caucasians or Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Quakers, Hindus, Agnostics, Atheists.  (How this is carried out will depend on the number of participants & their preferences)

 

4.  Discussion. (Of pairs of stories, one, or of all).

 

A.  What might have happened afterwards between the characters?

B.  What are alternative ways of handling the situations?

C.  What advice might you give the characters?

D.  Final Thoughts:  A chance for any additional comments or questions.

 

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THE BOTTOM LINE - THE BROADER PICTURE

 

What are the philosophical underpinnings of the “Building Bridges” approach to human conflict and misunderstanding?  The two books below are good resources for this kind of questioning.

 

Blood Brothers, Grafted In.  A Palestinian’s Awareness of Relationship With the Jewish People,

Beyond Grievance & Suffering

 

America Without Violence: The Lie of Otherness, Not You Vs. Me, But Us Vs. the Problem.

 

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WRAP-UP:  Comments and questions on the methods, the content, how and where the “Building Bridges Over Bias Through Books” approach might be used to assist efforts toward greater understanding and community.

 

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