<2> The People Who Never Made It to the Room
<3> A Personal Perspective on Division and Healing
As I reflect on the state of our world today, I am reminded of a phrase that has stuck with me for years: “the people who never made it to the room.” It’s a phrase that speaks to the countless individuals who are left out, marginalized, and excluded from the conversations that shape our communities and societies.
For me, this phrase evokes memories of my own experiences growing up in a diverse neighborhood, where I saw firsthand the impact of division and exclusion. I remember the kids who were left out of games, the families who were excluded from community events, and the individuals who were marginalized by societal norms.
<4> The Hurt of Division
Division hurts. It hurts the individuals who are excluded, it hurts the communities that are fragmented, and it hurts the society as a whole. When we divide ourselves along lines of race, class, gender, or any other characteristic, we create a society that is less just, less equitable, and less compassionate.
But division also hurts us on a deeper level. When we exclude others, we deny them the opportunity to share their perspectives, their experiences, and their wisdom. We deny ourselves the opportunity