On the first Tuesday of each month, a small band of west suburban DuPage County citizens sit down and discuss issues that matter. One issue at a time. Like racism, climate change, immigration policy, equal access to healthcare, education, and a host of other life quality resources.
Like salons of Paris, London and New York in bygone eras, people gather to learn and discern. The tiny Warrenville, Illinois group has no purpose other than to share ideas and help others understand the many issues faced daily. The goal is not to change minds. The goal is to re-learn the skills of civil discourse at a time when shrill voices pass as news.
Sharing ideas. Discerning meaning. In an environment of trust and acceptance.
In our social context today, the loudest voices are heard. Over time their pronouncements become remembered scripts in our mind. We are influenced in subtle ways and may get sloppy enough to accept some of this noise as truth, as fact.
Newscasts and press reports are not homogenous. They report differing views. Some with light bias; some with heavy shading of truth. The consuming public tires of the confusion. News becomes labor intensive to produce and to consume. We tend to shortcut the chaos, even avoid turning on the programs or reading the newspapers.
Internet browsing adds to the chaos. So much available. So many sources. Who is honest? Who is propagandist? Who is aligned with which political party or candidate, ideology or nationality?
Who indeed!
I yearn for a quiet room with friends and neighbors. I want to know what they think. If different from my view, I want to understand the difference, first of all, and secondly, a clue to how they came to their conclusion and me mine. The process of understanding is vital in knowing an issue inside out. That is a process I can understand and value. I can make up my own mind. The question is if the best inputs are entering the process in the first place.
Friendly discussion is helpful. Angry exchanges complete with shouting and finger pointing are not helpful; they only bar assessment and careful weighing of facts and logic.
Knowing what things mean is a worthy expenditure of time. Conclusions are not readily available all the time; but process should always be available. Process requires openness, honesty, approachability. A little laughter helps, too.
It isn’t necessary for everyone to beat a path to Nexus each First Tuesday of the Month. It is important that others start their own groups to discuss and explore issues that matter. Meanwhile, if you are in the neighborhood (Warrenville, Illinois), join us on first Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at Towne Tap and Al’s Pizza. They are located at Warrenville and River Roads.
December 5, 2019
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