| I agree with pundits of every social/political persuasion: the way we communicate – especially on social media – is both a cause and a result of the division and dysfunction we are living through. Like many of them, I believe we can do better; that we can be better.
Gandhi once famously said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This letter is my best attempt to be the change I wish to see.
Like every business we have a Google account. There, you can get basic information about our organization. You can also submit a review. Recently, this review appeared in that space:
The director is very rude and comes off as a bit racist in a way. The food was great because it was catered and I will continue to frequent the lunches.
To the writer of this review, if your only intent was to cause deep consternation and loss of sleep, you have succeeded. My great hope, however, is you had another, more important, purpose: that, given your experience, you would like to see change – that you desire to be treated better. If that is the case, please keep reading.
One of my highest aspirations is to engage with every person I meet with deep and deserved respect. One of my greatest fears is that the blindness that comes with my whiteness would result in hurt or harm.
And yet…I have accepted that I cannot be my best self all day, every day. I acknowledge that, despite my best efforts, my highest aspirations will not always be met, and my greatest fears will sometimes be realized.
Here’s where you come in. You have the power to help me be better. Within your experiences of me are the seeds that might produce greater sensitivity and awareness for me.
I have been urged by some to take down your review. I will not.
At Chester Eastside, our mission is to provide what people need in a space that is safe and secure, and to expend all our energies to do so abundantly. But our higher calling is not about what we offer, but how we do so. Our deepest core value at CEI is to offer everyone who comes to us a warm welcome and radical hospitality because we believe in the divine spark in every person.
To take down your post would be to silence your voice; to silence your voice would be to disregard your story and your truth. Your post will remain because the soul of CEI is rooted in respect and love for all people.
Finally, if you are interested in talking, I believe it is most helpful to begin with “common ground”: the values, goals, and dreams we share. Given that, if you would like to converse over a meal at our Open Table hot meals program, you know where I am. After all, we strongly agree the food there is great…
Very Sincerely,
Andrew W. Jacob, Executive Director
Chester Eastside, Inc. |
