It is remarkable to consider how much has happened in the first six months of 2020. We are hopeful that in the second half of the year, we can grow stronger and wiser as individual citizens and as a country.
Like many of you, we’ve been reflecting on the civil unrest and events of the last few months. We are listening intently to conversations happening across our country amongst our members, and in each of our communities with the goal of better understanding the plethora of perspectives on what this moment means for America. This movement touches each of us at our core and evokes pain and frustration, but also points to hope and promise of a more united and just America moving forward. The issues of race, policing, violence and building trust in institutions is fraught with complexity and can be intimidating. The solution is to have more complex conversations – not less.
In fact, we recently had one of these discussions with a diverse group of Policy Circle women tackling how to rebuild (or build) trust in our society. The Policy Circle created a Deep Dive, Crisis of Credibility: Building Trust, which was the starting point of the virtual discussion. Eight women joined co-founder Sylvie Légère to share their perspectives and each offered areas for collaboration and change. Légère:
“The beauty of The Policy Circle is everyone has a chance to express their thoughts, answer the same question and share their perspective. Through that open and honest conversation, what emerges is one theme that we feel we can rally around and identify a course of action.”
After almost two hours of conversation, and not nearly enough time to reach everything the group wanted to discuss, the women shared their top priorities, key insights, and areas they would encourage others to tackle in their communities.
- Authenticity is key to establishing trust. If people believe you are authentic in your motives and agenda, they’ll be more likely to trust. After we listen, we must also educate ourselves better on the facts, and be critical in what we read, from who, and where it’s sourced. (Kim)
- Data about policing and Black Americans’ personal experiences do not always align. As an African American woman, I know that one person of color may have a totally different experience than others. We’re all humans, we all make mistakes, but trust has to be rebuilt in the community. We need police, we need law-and-order, but there needs to be better training. I am hopeful in seeing so many young people of so many races coming together, hoping to make America what we all aspire to be. (Quentella)
- Let’s talk about it. In starting the conversation, we have to be brutally honest, as uncomfortable as we may feel. For white people, Black people, for all of us. We have to come to the table with an open mind. Truly listen and understand each other, and not be defensive on either end. There’s no better time than right now to talk about this. People are more open now than they’ve even been. I’m encouraged by people having the conversation and maximizing this rare opportunity. I started in my organization a “Let’s talk about it” discussion series with my leadership team. (Karen)
- Restoration of civility and real action. The dialogue in our country has been building to this moment where people cannot engage in productive conversations and we don’t have leadership or media that encourages respectful dialogue, and that is a huge component of healing and building trust. We must all be held accountable for the words we say. We also need to see real action. What I hope is that we get to a place where we have proactive, productive action that turns into real transformation. (Stacy)
- Speak as equals. To build trust we have to speak as equals.You cannot speak as an equal if you come from the narrative perspective that racism is permanent, that whiteness is property, that all white people are privileged. We have to focus on what we all care about: education, criminal justice, our communities, opportunities. There’s also a positive narrative around Black successes, that we need to acknowledge and highlight and share more often. (Carol)
- Equality is a mindset. One thing I feel is very important, especially dealing with people during this time, is having warmth and empathy and engaging with people with warmth and empathy. (Lindrea)
- Attack policy not people. Unfortunately, I have no confidence in the media these days, which I keyed in on in the brief. We’re consuming things that make us not trust each other, and not understand each other, hate each other and we’re attacking people and not the policies, which is where the focus should be. We have to be more intentional about reaching out to those who aren’t like us, and bring them to the table as owners of the solutions – not just invited to talk about the solutions. (Deana)
Diversity of viewpoints is critical for constructive debate and building public policies that actually provide sustainable solutions. At a time when every issue can be polarized, these complex conversations can’t happen solely on social media. Tackling an issue of this magnitude requires the exercise of patience, integrity, humility and mutual respect in conversation if we are going to heal and rebuild stronger, more inclusive, peaceful and thriving communities. At The Policy Circle 2019 Leadership Summit, a workshop session focused on how to facilitate complex discussions in a community.
With this in mind, The Policy Circle offers a unique framework to engage in robust and honest conversations, especially with those from a different race, perspective, background, or experience. The Policy Circle was established to Start the Conversation to Change the Conversation. The Policy Circle is a platform to learn from each other, to have meaningful discussions, and to set a path forward for engagement and creating meaningful, positive change.
So where can you start?
- Diversify the people you spend time with, talk to, and listen to. Seek out people with backgrounds, thoughts, and perspectives that differ from your own.
- Engage in civil discourse, leading with compassion and taking action purposefully. Identify where you can help and what needle you want to move. Co-Founder Sylvie Légère has some ideas for immediate ways to take action, and how you can focus on what you can influence.
- Educate yourself, and others around you: host your own virtual Circle discussion! Explore race in the context of a discussion on issues such as the fabric of neighborhoods, healthcare, education or poverty from the Policy Brief Library.
- Support credible nonprofits and organizations that are on the front lines of building trust in communities and establishing opportunities for the most vulnerable. Volunteer your time or donate if you can.
- Be intentional about seeking new opportunities to connect with people in your community from diverse backgrounds. The Policy Circle is a great forum to build relationships and seek to understand.
The Policy Circle is a 501(c)(3), nonpartisan organization that provides pathways for women to become courageous, knowledgeable and active citizens who identify and take ownership of local solutions to the issues facing their communities. Please consider supporting our mission and developing your own leadership skills by becoming a financial supporter.
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