Cross-cultural communication, or connecting across our constructed in-group/out-group lines, can bring us together… or tear us apart. Our aspirations to work across lines of diversity and difference in our movements for systems change often go astray for lack of authentic connection, and as a result of distress in the face of predictable conflicts.
Here is opportunity for rich practice: how we speak, the views we bring, the words we choose, and how much we say have deep implications for fragmentation or true meeting. Likewise, how we listen, the presence of flexibility, patience, curiosity or their absence, these too dramatically shape the conditions for our collaboration. Misunderstandings and even conflict can reveal our unconscious views, habits, and needs. When regarded in the frame of practice – of transforming reactivity to response-ability – their transformation holds the potential for so much more than accomplishing the task at hand.
This conversation between Rhonda Magee and Kristin Barker explored challenges and opportunities for building true Sangha as we work together for environmental justice.
