Sunday Celebration: Compassionate Listening in the Rising Tide of Conflict & Hate with Barbara Simmons

Join us for Sunday Celebration! 
Compassionate Listening in the Rising Tide of Conflict & Hate
with Barbara Simmons!

Description:
Listening can be very difficult when we are up against a rise in anti-Semitism, transphobia, anti-immigration, racism in all forms in our nation – and across the globe. Compassionate Listening requires us to hear the stories of both the oppressed and the oppressor; to listen to people who hold what seem like very different values from your own, and to develop empathy for the human being, which transcends the issues. We will look at a few tools to use when we are triggered by our loved ones, co-workers who may hold white nationalist thinking.

Bio:
Barbara Simmons retired after serving as executive director for over thirty years at The Peace Center, a peace and justice organization. She assembled a talented team of peace educators, implementing programs focused on prevention, intervention and tertiary methods of conflict, violence, racism and bigotry throughout schools, businesses and communities.

She currently serves as Ambassador to L.O.V.E. is the Answer, which grew out of the film WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. is the Answer. The movement brings together police and the community in an effort to address racism and police brutality. Simmons also serves on the Advisory Board of the Nakashima Foundation for Peace and Alpha Community Education Program.

Simmons is an adjunct professor at Arcadia University’s International Peace and Conflict Resolution master’s program. She raised two daughters and an adopted son who spent too many years in the foster care system. She lives in Newtown with her husband Steve Nolan, a mental health specialist, author and poet.

Zoom Link for Sunday Celebration: