Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict

This workshop (the first of a six-part series), hosted by New College Berkeley, will be an opportunity to reinvigorate our own language habits and to equip each other with words that will help us navigate the confusions and challenges of this historical moment.

“Our times are in God’s hands.” And also in ours—the rich, wild internet, the water crisis, widespread warfare, climate change, a polarized economy—these are the conditions in which we are to work out our salvation together. We need to learn new ways to speak peace. We need to find words that comfort and sustain courage in the face of large and looming threats.

We’ll consider how to sustain life-giving conversations as more and more words turn into “triggers,” as lies go unchallenged and honesty goes unrewarded—or is punished. We’ll identify a number of strategies for maintaining clarity, integrity, and authenticity in word work, drawing examples from contemporary writers and speakers from whom we can learn.

We’ll be addressing two topics each week, drawn from Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict. Sessions will include brief writing exercises, so come equipped with laptop or pen and paper.