“They are less likely to have AP classes, science and math. “Minority schools are massively underfunded,” added Hannah-Jones. With tax dollars from higher property values and more business, white schools have better facilities, teachers, supplies. “The truth is, black children are more segregated in schools now than in any time since the 1970s,” said Hannah-Jones. This prosperity also attracted new businesses, further advancing property values and allowing for more tax funding for better schools. Segregated neighborhoods created segregated schools. They could invest and buy even better homes, send their children to college and pass on their wealth and advantages to future generations.

In comparison, families in “green” areas were able to compound their wealth. As William Carlos Williams wrote in his poem, The Red Wheelbarrow - “so much depends on it.” “We need to help those people who are in jeopardy - physically or psychologically,” said French. Our success depends upon voluntarily relinquishing and sharing power. In the same way we see little remnant of the former animosity between Catholics and Protestants, Patel believes we can become accepting of all peoples and religions.įrench believes we are built for this - not only to survive pluralism, but to thrive. In this world’s oldest democracy, we must reach beyond just what we like or believe to work toward the greater good.” We must all believe that an affront to one person’s liberty is an affront to us all. “People of goodwill must be ambassadors within each group. Patel described America’s democracy as less of a melting pot and more of a potluck dinner where each contributes their own offerings to share. Our founders were vehement about protecting religious freedom - one of the core reasons many fled to this continent. The United States will no longer be a majority white Judeo-Christian nation - which is not an opinion, but a fact “just as true as the sky is blue,” underscored French. Not only are racial demographics shifting, so are religious identities. Patel and French reminded guests that we are a changing America, and that building a racially, religiously and politically diverse democracy is not easy, but worthy. (French grew to respect and cherish his roommate Leo while they both served in Iraq, despite the fact they were politically opposed.) Recognize that we are already working with people with whom we disagree - think of doctors, fire fighters, pilots, front line workers showing that the goal of saving lives or working for the greater good can outweigh political beliefs in everyday life andįind your “Leo” - a person with whom you disagree on political issues, but someone with whom you can share mutual respect and friendship. Protect each other’s civil liberties - an affront to one is an affront to all īecome an “in-group dissenter”- one of the minority in a group willing to speak up to acknowledge another group’s beliefs as valid To help counter the growing political and ideological divides in this country, French and Patel recommended some simple practices we can embrace to be the change we wish to see:Įducate yourself on both sides of a controversial topic - find and follow the best intellectual voices read the proponent first, and then the opposing view

While they could not agree on college football, they could on the power of pluralism, the danger of cable news television, and the importance of civic education and duty.

Courageous conversations compass pdf