Stepping Back to Move Forward: My Journey at the Harwood Summit

Editor's Note: Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: A Walk to Respect inspires the audience to reflect on shared aspirations, authenticity, and the common good. The play launches meaningful thought and dialogue about connecting and communicating despite our differences. Click here to register for the next showing on Monday, February 5, 2024, co-sponsored by Venice Interfaith and The Patterson Foundation.

In times of challenge, it's when we take a step back that we can truly move forward. My journey at the Harwood Summit was a reminder that hope, unity, and transformation begin within us all. My first Harwood Summit was a plunge into a world of transformation. It was an experience that pushed me to confront the complex challenges our nation faces, inspiring a path toward a more hopeful and united future.

During the summit, I was immersed in thoughts about my role in community building, the importance of inclusive conversations, and the significance of wholehearted efforts.

The summit began with Rich Harwood's reminder that we are living through one of the most challenging years in our history. The world is filled with fatigue, frustration, fear, division, and an unwavering desire for change. Harwood's message was clear: we can't passively wait for change to happen. We must take the initiative at the local level, grounding ourselves and opening the door to meaningful conversations.

A central theme during the summit was the recognition of grief. We learned that acknowledging and embracing grief is a pivotal part of our journey toward a brighter future. Through acknowledging our grief, hope gains the power to propel us forward.

The subsequent days were filled with discussions on dignity in our work, the need for a sense of belonging in our communities, and the pursuit of a united community.

A central theme during this time was the concept of civic grief. We were encouraged to reflect on the grief we experienced in our civic work. This emotional weight is an invaluable resource, serving as fuel for progress. The summit fostered intimate small-group discussions, where I had the opportunity to delve into the ideas of rootedness and the media's role in public life while other groups explored different aspects of our shared journey.

In larger group settings, we grappled with the fear of each other's grieving and the dimension of time. Healing, we realized, is not a race but a journey that needs patience and space for others to be heard and seen.

The summit culminated in a call to action. Genuine change requires tangible action, not just abstract conversation. We explored the notion of an "open tent" – the importance of ensuring inclusivity in our efforts to build a better community. The summit underscored that creating spaces for collaboration, demonstrating visibility in our choices, and committing to wholehearted efforts are pivotal.

The Harwood Summit provided a powerful lesson: to move forward, sometimes we must take a step back. Embracing our grief, channeling wholehearted efforts, and actively working towards change in our local communities are essential. The summit left me inspired and armed with the tools to contribute to a more hopeful and united future. As I move forward, I'll carry the enduring lessons of the Harwood Summit and work tirelessly to build a stronger, more connected nation.

In the wake of the Harwood Summit, I am not merely a spectator in the ongoing drama of our nation's future. I am an active participant fueled by the awareness of the transformative power that lies within us all. This summit has ignited a flame of hope, and I am determined to fan its flames, to work hand in hand with my fellow community builders, and to create a brighter, more unified future for our nation. Let this be a testament to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead when we step back to move forward, together.