The candidates, along with their political campaigns and supporters, did a lot of talking in the lead up to the Nov. 8 elections. But now, more than a week after the voting, which highlighted deep divisions in society, what’s needed more than ever is the ability to listen, said Kathy Langer, director of social concerns for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud.
“I think it’s so easy for people to get into political camps, and all of us have probably done that in one way, shape or form,” Langer said.
“It’s so important to get out of our social cliques and get to talking and listening to other people who don’t necessarily think the way we do, or go to the same places we go, or enjoy the same things we do,” she said. “We need to find those opportunities.”
The election identified a number of important public policy issues that voters want addressed. One issue that stands out to Langer, particularly in the 16 counties that make up the Diocese of St. Cloud, is the state of the rural economy.
“Young people are leaving rural areas and going to cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul or even St. Cloud for jobs, rather than staying in their small towns and finding a way to use their gifts and talents there,” she said. “That’s a challenge.”
Another challenge is bridging the bitter divisions between people that have surfaced over time.
“As a church, we need to work on the healing that needs to happen in our communities,” Langer said. The issues of immigration and cultural diversity have been especially divisive, fueled by President-elect Trump’s pledge to crack down on undocumented immigrants and ban Muslims from entering the country.
Many Latino immigrants are afraid their families will be split apart by deportations, Langer said. And one of her Muslim friends told her he was afraid to leave his house the day after the election.
“Those are real fears,” she said. “It’s important for those of us who aren’t people of color to acknowledge these fears, and listen to their stories since most of us have never experienced this same kind of fear ourselves.”
The election “has many people feeling like they’re on the margins,” she added. “We are a church of compassion. … This is a very important time for us to be standing on the side of Jesus, and that means standing with vulnerable and marginalized persons.”
Mending divisions and promoting healing in communities can begin with small actions, Langer said:
- On social media like Facebook, post and repost positive stories about people — particularly people of color or different cultures — rather than articles that are hateful or divisive.
- Notice who’s around you. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
- Create opportunities for meeting and talking with others who are from a different culture or faith or hold different political views.
“We learn from each other and, often, we learn that we’re so much alike,” Langer said. “We love our families. We want our children to grow up healthy and strong and free. We want our children to have a strong foundation in faith. We find that so often marginalized persons want the same thing. Our Muslim sisters and brothers want the same thing. Our Latino brothers and sisters want the same thing. Even those who voted differently than I did want the same things. Most of all we all want to live in peace.”