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I am moved to write a reflection related to a triangle of recent letters. I first want to share that I identify as a liberal. I have a nearly desperate sense that we ALL need to regain the ability to talk to one another. Also, that I regret that a “personal wall” went up for me after the 2016 election. I needed to know I was among ‘”like thinkers” before I would speak about politics. In public, we were cautious. I believe that my personal health, possibly our collective health, is harmed when I want to express myself, but decided to hold it in because I ‘can’t’ if I want to avoid conflict, even vitriol, from the “other side.” Since the 2020 election, and becoming convinced that there is no denying the reality of the division in our nation, I decided I wanted to work on taking down MY wall.
Moving on to the three letters from Mr. Popkes, Mr. Soderholm, and Mr. Spry, I see them as related under the umbrella of the need for skills as we dare to return to talking together. I was disturbed by one letter, appreciative of another, and curious enough to track down Mr. Spry’s letter since I had missed it. Trent Spry’s letter engendered respect in me, and awareness that it took some courage to express school experiences, and a level of maturity to express his thoughts without name calling, rage or judgment; in other words, without vitriol. Trent Spry’s letter was not a surprise because young adults are clearly stepping up in recent years. Reading his letter was a positive experience.
I had another positive experience with a young man, seemingly “college age” during late stage door knocking of the campaign. He knocked and I stepped out to talk with him. He was from Ely. Unfortunately, I failed to get his name. I have beloved life-long ties with Ely, since all four of my Finish grandparents settled there in the early 1900’s. I listened to him, picked up that the mining Issue was a main concern for him, and he spoke knowingly about it, and advocated well for the party of his choice. I thanked him for stopping by, indicated my respect for him having the guts to go out alone to do something difficult and important. I needed to tell him that my own affiliation was with the other party. His face fell momentarily and he turned to look for signs that might have given him clues. He turned back and I had a chance to tell him of my attachment to Ely, and that I certainly had loved relatives who thrived on mining long ago. I thanked him again for doing the important work motivated by his values. I hope he would recall it as a positive exchange, as I do.
With regard to dismantling my own wall, I work on it all the time, but just inside my head, in my Covid isolation. A Letter to the Editor is an opportunity to use my voice, so I’m giving it a try, a concrete action step.
Phyllis Olson,
Grand Marais
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