How Are We Going to Unite as a Community?

One of the things that I love the most about Asheville is the diversity and eclectic nature of the community.   It is precious to me.   I have often argued that we may be the most diverse, complicated community in the country.   My argument is that you can go to Boulder, Co. and see some interesting people and alternate lifestyles, but I defy you to find a rock ribbed Southern Baptist Minister in Boulder, Co.   One look in the phonebook under churches shows the depth and diversity of our community.   In addition to the wealth of Baptists, Methodists, and other Protestant demo nations, we have an Islamic mosque, a Baha'i temple, Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Christian Science, the type depth and diversity go on and on. These are only a couple of examples of the depth and breath of opinion in our community. Throw in potential divisions based on wealth, class, race, gender, age excreta, excreta, and we face a heavy challenge.   How will we tolerate those that are different?   How are we going to treat one another?   How are we going to continue to be a "live and let live" community where everyone is allowed to pursue happiness as they see fit? How are we going to unite with one another to face our challenges and benefit from our opportunities?

The only way I know for that to happen is for us all to "Get Very, Very Real" with each other.   We must become candid and forthright about what we are about.   We must be aware and ready to tolerate and incorporate the legitimate interests of others into our solutions.   During this campaign I hope to offer real ideas, real solutions, real perspective, real experience, real candor, real listening, and real asking?   I cannot do that without you, your input, your ideas, your concerns, your hopes, your dreams, your views and your good will.

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

You can e-mail your comment on this topic: unite@electdwight.org