Needed!

There is a lot of talk about the United States becoming more diverse. At the same time that we are focusing attention on racial and ethnic diversity, we are hearing more and more about other kinds of "group identities" such as religion, ideology, gender, and sexual orientation.

Sometimes it seems there is a war of words. Diversity. Unity. Patriotism. Pluralism. Race. Ethnicity. Group identity. Political correctness. Multiculturalism. Culture wars. Words tap deep feelings and can mean very different things to different people. Even the word "American" can bring out strong conflicting feelings between strangers, neighbors, and family members.

But the conflicts we face are about more than words. The tensions evident in our language reflect varied concerns and ideas about where we should go as a country. These pressures are visible in many of our most complex public problems -- education, taxes, welfare, and immigration, just to name a few. Caught in these real-life dilemmas, some people are even questioning our ability to live together.

In many communities, these tensions are evident in daily life. Sometimes there is open conflict among groups within a community. More commonly, tensions and misperceptions simmer just beneath the surface. In many places, groups merely coexist without much interaction. Both outright conflict and quiet separation make it impossible for people to figure out what community concerns and problems they have in common -- much less work constructively to deal with them.

Many people insist we must find ways to make the American multicultural experiment work. Without a doubt, working together is difficult, but it's not impossible. In a growing number of places, civic leaders are finding ways to help people bridge their divides.

This is a critical time for our country as a whole, and for the communities throughout our country. We need to consider what we hold in common, what keeps us apart, and how we can work together to build a stronger, better place for all of us.

In the face of our differences and the distance between us, how can we begin to consider what we hold in common? How can we work together on our common concerns, especially on the issues that are related to our differences?

Even the most complicated tasks begin with a few concrete steps. In each city and town through the U.S., we must create opportunities for everyday people to sit down together, get to know one another, and exchange ideas about the problems and issues facing our communities. These democratic conversations can bring together people of different ethnic backgrounds and races; of different religious and political views; of different jobs and income levels; from different neighborhoods, life circumstances and lifestyles ö people who share this country, but seldom have a chance to share their views about it or work together to make it a better place.

In these conversations, people have the chance to:

• respectfully hear each other's experiences, concerns, and viewpoints. In this way, people can come to better understand and appreciate others, rethink stereotypes and misperceptions, and build relationships.

• begin to heal our divisions, by learning about our history and coming to terms with it.

• grapple with the many sides of public problems, and search together for common ground and for ways to address those problems.

• consider together: What does it mean to be an "American"? What is our image of the America of the next century? What picture of an ideal America will inform our struggles with current problems? Can we identify those values and commitments that we need to share if we are to be a successful society?

When people have the opportunity to deal directly and openly with their differences, they learn to appreciate and respect each other. They also discover common concerns and develop strong networks to work together on those concerns. The result of these efforts is more than "getting along" -- it is the healing and renewal of our civic life.