Books that
Inspire By Cheri Torres
I
am inspired by two books I recently read: Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng, and Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Each of these wonderful storytellers pave the way for meaningful conversation about a critical topic. What delights me is the way they frame the conversations. They invite us to see the complexity of reality and ask us to recognize how detrimental it is to see things from narrow, objective, non-relational perspectives. What each of these books have in common is their invitation to see the world through the eyes of the artist and poet. To see reality from a more holistic perspective and to embrace multiple ways of knowing the world. Celeste Ng’s story brings the reader into the complex world of privilege and discrimination in ways that allow 20
thesofiamagazine.com | March 2020
us to see how systems of privilege stifle authenticity and genuine meaningful living at all levels. Exposed to each character’s hopes, perspectives, and pain, we have the opportunity to see how polarity and positioning around important decisions gives way to the system, leaving little room for authentic choice. The artist’s view, however, invites us to see beneath a character’s thoughts and emotions, to see the spiritual crisis the current system generates for everyone in it. She gives us a window into a world where people are seen, where genuine relationships might allow us to connect, deepen understanding, and find a way forward that defined by ‘us’ instead of the system.
struggle to be human, and to share a commitment to creating a world that works for everyone. The two practices from Conversations Worth Having support such conversations: create a positive frame for the conversation and ask generative questions. For example, positive frames and generative questions for conversations around equity and racial justice might be:
How might we foster conversations about racial justice that allow us to make room to hear one another’s stories, to bear witness to one another’s
•H ow is our current system impacting you and your ability to thrive?
•F rame: Connecting through Our Stories • Tell me about a time of struggle in your life and how you dealt/deal with it. What do you most value about yourself and others in your story? •H ow does our current system of inequity negatively impact you?
•H ow do your strengths and privileges show up in your life?
