For the moment, this is the event that captures our attention and most have determined how they will react before a word has been spoken. But while the event creates the anxiety, we’ve learned for more than a decade that the news is in how people like us respond in living rooms, in diners and other public spaces, or in the workplace talk. Reactions, whether educated or erroneous or prejudiced or thoughtful, affect what happens next.

Afternoon comes and I’m standing in a public kitchen. A man, respected in the community, leans on the door frame having listened to pundits pour over the speech. He starts with small talk while I’m chopping vegetables, focused more on blade and fingertips than events. He says, ‘This is what happens when you’re more concerned about political correctness.” (He never explains whether the you is me or some broader group.)

“How so?” I ask. Then think about it. Then say, “Back up. First define political correctness.”

We argue (but in a low tone) for a while. Which isn’t the point.

Point is this. The event that triggered the discussion has happened. We are not near the end of thinking about what it means, or how to bridge people rather than becoming more entrenched.


The rest of this blog can be found at the author's website: http://www.dagray.net/blog