In Northern Ireland, we coordinated several studio days in different locations around the country. We wanted to hear stories of healing in the wake of their sectarian violence known as the Troubles. As we often do, we partnered with existing groups who are already doing good work on the ground in an effort to amplify voices of hope and healing. We partnered with the Women … Continue reading Northern Ireland studio
Kate West is one of our three summer interns from Willamette University and a Conversation Ambassador for the Conversation Project at Willamette. Kate is a rising senior majoring in Peace and Justice studies and calls Redmond, OR home. She wrote this blog based on our recent walk through the neighborhoods of North Belfast. “This past week, we walked along the peace walls in Belfast between … Continue reading Walls
I spent time last fall with Cornell Cooperative Extension as their offices talked about love. Not romantic love, but the sort of love Dr. King referred to when he spoke of Beloved Community. The idea that we can care for one another. Build one another up. Make sure that people have access to the resources and support they need in order to thrive. The sort … Continue reading love
1000 to 1 Once upon a time, in a place that shall remain nameless, it finally happened. One of my exhibits was vandalized. Someone—apparently—took exception to the message in one of the stories and they chose to respond by writing a contrary message in sharpie across the photo panel. I won’t name the place where it happened, because it could have happened anywhere. It’s one … Continue reading 1,000 to 1
***This post is written by Mira Karthik who joined me in Louisiana for this series. Having just finished work on a political campaign and gearing up for a Fulbright engagement in Peru, she was interested to learn more about the work we do with A Peace of My Mind. I met Mira in Northern Ireland last summer while I traveled with students from Willamette University … Continue reading LSU
I spent time with North Dakota Extension agents a couple weeks ago. It’s part of the mission of Land Grant Universities to connect the research of the institution to the day to day needs of a community. So they run 4-H programs for youth development, lead community nutrition programs, work with agricultural producers on best practices, and more. I’ve done a lot of work with … Continue reading NDSU
We spent a few days this fall with K-State Research and Extension professionals in Manhattan Kansas and asked, “When have you been inspired to engage with your community?” And this is what people said. What inspires you to engage with your community? Continue reading Engage
Over the past six months, I’ve been spending time with San Pablo / St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. It was established in 1888 and for much of its history, served a community of Scandinavian immigrants. But over time, the demographics of the neighborhood shifted and now many of its members have Hispanic and Latin-x roots. The pews are populated with first and second … Continue reading Belonging
Sandy Gokee is Anishinaabe—Bear Clan—and lives in Ashland, Wisconsin. For the interview, we sat outside at a park overlooking Lake Superior as a storm skirted around us, so you might hear a little wind and maybe even thunder in the recording. Sandy introduces herself in her native language, Ojibwemowin. Her Ojibwe name, Wenipashtaabe, means “She Carries a Light Load. She shares her concerns about the … Continue reading Wenipashtaabe – Sandy Gokee
I’ve been really interested in this question of community lately. Especially as we come out of the pandemic, where our experience of community was so drastically changed. Especially as we go into mid-term elections where our sense of a common vision is challenging. Especially as we have spent these last two years on the road, constantly reimagining what it means to belong in a place. … Continue reading Building community
