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Writer's pictureIrma Herrera

Let's Talk


As Easter approaches each year, my mind turns to an unfortunate incident involving an invitation to an Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt. The host Tricia, a friend/acquaintance, treated me and my family in a way that felt so disrespectful. Several years ago, I told this story on stage, and it was recorded. This 20-minute piece is both funny and sad. More than a quarter-century later, I’m still hurt and bothered by it. If any of this is sounding familiar, maybe you were at this show, or you read the blog and saw this video last year at Easter time.


All of us have done and said things that we later regret, and how we make it right varies with each situation. On occasion, I have imagined a conversation with Tricia in which we tried to understand each other’s point of view. Tricia, if this gets to you, call me, let’s talk.


Last week, a friend who is the co-founder of Living Room Conversations, sent me an email asking whether I thought my readers might be interested in the upcoming National Week of Conversation 2022. I’d not heard of this organization or event so I read on, following the links she provided.


America Talks provides an opportunity for Americans of different backgrounds and beliefs to connect during a time of deep division in our country. Participants will be matched into face-to-face, one-on-one or small group conversations with one or more people."


"You will be welcomed to this online event with a livestream that will help set you up for a great conversation. Then you and your conversation partner(s) will go into a breakout room (like on Zoom) to spend about an hour together using a secure video conversation platform and built-in conversation guide."


Here are some editorials from prior years about the National Week of Conversation which will take place later this month.


I’ve registered for one event, and I hope you will consider doing so as well. More about the National Week of Conversation here.


I hope you’ll also check out Living Room Conversations, an organization that works to heal society by connecting people across divides - politics, age, gender, race, nationality, and more – through guided conversations proven to build understanding and transform communities. They are doing important work to heal build common ground and find solutions to so many of our seemingly intractable problems.


The most important thing I’ve learned from my newish career as a solo performer is that “the closest distance between two people” is a story. I love this quote coined by Patti Digh whose work helps create inclusive communities. She offers seminars and workshops and I have participated in several zoom sessions of her Hard Conversations Book Club. Check out her website.


Keep promoting justice and fairness. You never know the impact of your work, and even if it only makes the world better for a few people, it matters.


Wishing you the best as you we roll into Spring.

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