I read the 2016 US presidential election results this morning. After all these months of campaigning, one thing became clear in my mind: both sides failed.
In my mind, both sides failed because no one wanted to speak to the other side. Neighbors won’t talk to each other to even out differing opinions. Instead, self-created opinion bubble exist where its participants all believe they’re right.
This blog exists because I believe in connection. I believe in working to unite people who normally can’t understand each other.
We have a duty to reach out to the Other. We reach out to them because we must, not because we want to. I’m not sentimental at heart.
We are language-learners, and we have a duty to reach out to the Other in the way that we are able. Many of us, though, do not do our duty. We serve ourselves. On the one hand, it feels good to learn a language that is fun, whose culture appeals to us. On the other hand, we can learn the languages of those who live in our community.
Our duty to the Other
Loving Language 