There’s so much talk these days about how polarized we have become as a nation. People digging in and unable to hear what others are saying. Trying to turn differences of opinions into win – lose arguments.
We also may feel so resentful of people who disagree with us that we want to dominate or eliminate them. People are hurt, and we walk away shaking our heads, wondering why. But what if there was another way?
We would like to invite you to an event to talk about some of our struggles. We will be holding a community event called “Can We Talk?" on Thursday, Jan. 18th, 7 p.m. at the YWCA, 301 North St. in Batavia.
We will be joined by Professor Barry Gan, director of the Center for Nonviolence at St. Bonaventure University, along with Gary Pudup, Upstate coordinator of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and Eugene Jankowski, Batavia City Council president and gun rights advocate.
Professor Gan will help us experience how we can talk about issues of disagreement and work to foster understanding and common solutions in our daily interaction with others.
We encourage everyone to bring friends and family, and participate in this opportunity to make your world a more peaceful place.
Event Planning Committee:
Reverend Roula Alkhouri, Ph.D., YWCA Board Member
Reverend James Morasco, Morganville United Church of Christ
Joanne Beck, Batavia YWCA
