LETTER: Actions, conversation and thoughts welcome as next steps are planned

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, January 10, 2017

I take inspiration from Camille Reeves’ brave commentary in last week’s Beachcomber (“With Trump inauguration looming, compassion and empathy necessary to stop blame, hatred,” Jan. 4, 2017). Her attitude is at the heart of a peace movement, and I aspire to bring that kind of commitment to my own longing for peace and justice. The fact that her compassion is based in a powerful personal life experience also underlines, for me, the individual nature of how we are called to respond.

With that in mind, I want and hope to hear from more people on this island about how they are called to respond. On Sunday, Jan 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Vashon Library, there is an opportunity to do just that. All Island Forum is offering a community conversation to air thoughts and to hear dreams, hopes and strategies for our future actions.

Recently I spoke to three random island women who spoke of next steps they are leaning into. Their actions range from meeting with small groups of neighbors to talk and find support, to knitting pink “pussy” hats in solidarity with and toward empowerment for women — to be worn at the women’s march in Washington, D.C. on Jan 21, to running into the forest and shutting out the news.

Our actions are as diverse as our personalities. They are all important and worthy of hearing. In conversation we give each other a chance to imagine our own next step.

All Island Forum will set up creative ways for every voice to be heard. We hope to grow and learn from each other — to turn this maelstrom or whirlpool of change into a chance to see choice, opportunity and, for me personally, to experience compassionate community.

— Karen Nelson