Note: For me and for my readers, it is good to pause every so often to take a more personal, less intellectual and philosophical approach to equality. I call these “inside-out” exercises because they draw from deep inside our own unique experiences. When we bring some of that material up and out into the light of awareness, new insights about the work of living as equals can occur.

These are best done in small groups, drawing together people who have different backgrounds and vantage points. The practical applications of articles on this web site are always waiting to be discovered.

In need of rescue:

Scenario A: Imagine that you are walking through the local park, on your way to do an errand. You notice someone wrapped in a coat, laying on a park bench, moaning. Should you investigate the situation? Why? What would you do if you did stop?

Scenario B: Now imagine that you are the person on the park bench. How did you get here? What happened? What form of rescue would make you feel well and whole? What kind of rescuer do you envision?

Discussion: This is, of course, a variation on the theme of the Good Samaritan. But instead of talking about being the good guy, focus on being the one who needs rescue. Talk about times in your life when you have needed to be rescued. What was the situation? Were you lost? Frightened? Impoverished? Injured? Hungry? Victimized? How did you get rescued?

Empathy is an emotional muscle that gets a lot of exercise in the process of living as equals. In this case, empathy shows us that everyone needs to be rescued from something during a lifetime. We hope that our rescuers will be compassionate and tender-hearted.

 

Gymnastics for a stony heart (best done individually and then discussed as a group):

    • Picture yourself as a six-year-old. Recall as much of that time in your life as you can. Now try to imagine being forcibly removed from your mother and father.
    • Read about the Bear River Massacre of 1863, the Tulsa riots of 1921, and the 1985 police decision to drop a bomb on a quiet Philadelphia neighborhood. You can Google each of these to find articles quickly on these events.
    • Fast for a day. While you are fasting, imagine your home and neighborhood totally destroyed by a hurricane. Think through what you would have to do to survive, the kinds of rescuers you want to see immediately, what forms of assistance you think our government should provide, and what you will do to start rebuilding your life.
    • Re-do that last exercise as if you were a deaf person.