Resisting Collective Blame
For the past decade, my focus has been on understanding and combating dehumanization in Washington State and across the United States. During times of conflict, communities here become more susceptible to threats and violence. Just last week, I had conversations with a young Palestinian Muslim woman and a Jewish woman, both of whom expressed feeling…
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Humbled by Humanity
My heart is heavy about events in the world this last week. My heart breaks at the violence Hamas is inflicting upon Israeli civilians and the hostages and their families. My heart breaks at the deep pain of the Palestinian people and their situation. There are so many layers of history, missed opportunities, and trauma…
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Identity
I grew up in a small town called Lacrosse. The town still has about 300 people living there. Our high school mascot was a tiger, and it was painted on the gym wall. I remember going to basketball games and cheering loud for the Tigers. During the games, we kinda disliked the visiting teams. And…
Read MoreWill Christians Step Up?
Surveys conducted by IPSOS and Gallup corroborate a sentiment that is palpable: there is significant concern about the division among Americans. So, what is the solution? What steps can we take to remedy this situation? At Paths to Understanding, we are committed to uniting individuals from diverse cultures, traditions, and identities. Our aim is for…
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LGT Coordinator Joins PTU Team
We have some big news! As you all know, we launched our new Let’s Go Together program this year. We teamed up with almost 20 local groups in Skagit County to bring together neighbors across lines of faith, culture, ethnicity, and socio-economic situation. Now our local leadership team is ready to invite their community members…
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GDL Resources
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Social Contract
I grew up in Eastern Washington State. The town was so small that the high school had 64 students and my class had 14 students. The teachers had to teach multiple subjects but they did a great job. One teacher especially has shaped me. Dorothy Smith. Dorothy taught English, history, and German. Mostly she challenged…
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Will We Mend the Tears?
According to the latest FBI report on hate crimes, such crimes have reached the highest level since the government began tracking them in the early 1990s. This is the insidious effect of dehumanization. It propagates the notion that certain groups are dangerous, justifying harassment, oppression, and violence against them. Although most people exposed to dehumanizing…
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Finding Calm When Engaging Difference
In today’s increasingly polarized society, it can be challenging to maintain calm and composed when engaging with people across political or ideological divides. Yet, these exchanges are essential for nurturing mutual understanding, empathetic connections, and social cohesion. How do we approach these often sensitive conversations without losing our cool? Understanding the Root of the Differences:…
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