I commend to you this Op-ed piece from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/13/opinion/campaign-stops/lets-grow-up-liberals.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share “I voted for Bernie Sanders. But it’s enough with the purity already.” Kevin Baker, Essayist and author of The Big Crowd challenges us not to opt “for suicide by Trump. Let’s grow up, liberals, and take our party and our country back.”

I am dreading the Republican Convention. Thankfully, I do not have regular TV here on the island. We can use our Apple TV Air Play for NPR Newshour recaps, limiting our exposure as well as keeping ourselves informed. I am already profoundly saddened as I think about the millions of Americans who are buying into the Republican fiasco. Blaming the Republicans is too easy. I sorrow for our country because I believe the reaction to Trump represents an already deep divide in our culture.

We are in crisis as a nation. The word “crisis” in Chinese includes characters for both danger and opportunity. It is up to us, individually and collectively, to be become aware of and live intentionally into the many and diverse life-giving opportunities revealed by this crisis. We will be called in different ways. I encourage you to listen to how you are called to respond. The following is part of my response—passing on more information about listening to one another.

Learn to Listening First. See listenfirstproject.org  The website opens: In today’s polarized world, we’re committed to turning the tide by starting new conversations that cross aisles, demographics, and everything else that divides us. We believe when people genuinely listen in open and honest conversation – especially with someone on the “other side” – our relationships, communities and culture are transformed. Like all change, this won’t be easy. But it starts with us and it starts with you.

See also Urban Confessional: A Free Listening Project @UrbanConfessional-Facebook

The following is a report on listening at the Republican and Democratic Conventions from Kay Lindahl of thelisteningcenter.org:

Benjamin (of the free listening project) is going to Cleveland on July 20th and 21st with 2-3 volunteers and a film director who will be recording whatever happens with Free Listening. He has had a great response to the Huffington Post video about Urban Confessional and Free Listening – and has informed them that he will be taking the project to Cleveland. A woman in Philadelphia just contact him about being the point person there. She lives near the Convention Center and has already recruited 3 more people to be on her team.

Pearce (of Listen First) is going to send business cards to Ben with the ListenFirst pledge on them. He will send posters to Lynn in Philadelphia. Ben has had responses to the project from around the world.

If you are attending either convention or live nearby, please contact Benjamin at the free listening project.

Your suggestions and intentions during this crisis are welcome in the comment space below.