I Live in the Shadow of Hope

Community youth and local police officers at The Commons.

Joan Baez recently said, “ I live in the shadow of hope. In ‘the shadow of hope’... you still do everything you can to make this a decent world. She went on “...we’re facing a total lack of empathy, cruelty and evil, and how do we face that in some way…”. I grew up on Joan Baez, and I aspire to create something that casts that shadow of hope. On Thursday we gathered 20 people at our space, 4 of them hardworking, thoughtful police officers and 16 of them teens, people of color, committed neighbors, friends, and strangers. We started a deep, connected conversation with the help of a gifted facilitator. We concentrated on connection, on individual stories, in small groups of 3 and 4. We shared gifts and insights. As Zoey said in the sharing, “When you make space for community, community happens.” We believe her. This work is planned as a monthly Community Conversation. May our space cast that “shadow of hope.”