Newsletter | Issue 5
Letter from Us
Dear High Desert Project Alumni,
Last month, many of us gathered at the Museum for an evening of dialogue and connection with other High Desert Project alumni. Our second annual reunion event was double the size of our first event and featured a conversation with Manu Meel from Bridge USA.
One of the things that has surprised us the most about the High Desert Project is the passion and energy of the cohorts. We hear again and again a strong desire for more opportunities to gather and engage in action. Watching as people came together last month to share stories and food reminded us of the power of this community of individuals, who are passionate about reaching across differences to engage in dialogue and build understanding.
While these reunion events are one way that we are working to provide more, we are also continuing to explore how to foster this growing community of High Desert Project alumni. We want to hear from you. What would you like to see for future alumni gatherings? Share your thoughts below in our Alumni Voices section.
– The High Desert Project Team
Alumni Voices
In each edition of the High Desert Project Newsletter, we present thought-provoking prompts designed to ignite conversations among our valued alumni. Share your perspectives by responding to these prompts through the link below and your contribution could be highlighted in the upcoming issue!
How would you like to see the High Desert Project community grow in the future? What are your hopes for future alumni gatherings?
Let us know what you hope for our community and landscape.
Submit Thoughts
Reflections on our Reunion Event
Read below to hear more about last month’s reunion event through the reflections of other High Desert Project alumni.
Quote from Ellen Waterson, author and poet: The success of the High Desert Project was evident at the recent cohort reunion dinner. The varied field trips and learning experiences, on subjects ranging from wolves to waste, had clearly resulted in a strong sense of camaraderie among the reuning groups. Taken together, the shared cohort experiences, regardless of topic, had created a new, larger and eager community positioned to be purveyors of what they experienced firsthand—common ground can be found by looking at issues from all sides with open heart and mind. There’s no question, bridges were built among and within the cohorts. So what could have been a more fitting finale than to hear from Manu Meel of BridgeUSA! Something of a prodigy, Meel, 25, is on track to build the largest student-led movement for constructive dialogue at colleges and high schools in the nation. He has been in the eye of the storm of recent college campus protests and has demonstrated that his approach to finding collaborative solutions works.
That the High Desert Project concluded the latest series of cohorts with this young, committed and positive speaker confirmed what all attending the reunion hopes…that there is a way to bring opposing factions together on difficult issues regardless of what they are and where they take place.
Quote from John Sterling: It was a treat to spend the evening with a roomful of people from different High Desert Project cohorts, and to hear stories about “trash”, “wolves”, “water”, and “food.” As these themes bounced around the room, it occurred to me how many things connect us — and sometimes divide us — as a community. I’m grateful that the Museum brought us all together to explore our connections and differences.
Quote from Toni Morozumi: The HDP annual reunion was a lovely event — a nice opportunity to see folks from other groups and hear a bit more about their experiences. I was gratified to hear our presenter Manu speak to the critical and timely issues of communication, community-building, and the pursuit of common ground, which is what this museum project is ultimately about. He provided food for thought, if no easy answers, and I was grateful to learn about his and others’ work and some resources we can pursue. It’s a heavy lift; I appreciated the tone of urgency with which this work was framed, because urgent it is. And thanks for the absolutely delicious meal!
The High Desert Project Reunion was another great opportunity to connect with interesting and engaged range of citizens, with the bonus of being inspired by Manu Meel, founder of Bridge USA.
Quote from Peggy Carey: One of the things I found interesting in Manu’s conversation was the notion of the hopeful but quiet majority. I found myself having an internal dialogue, was I one of them? Why wasn’t I more involved with my political party and why I didn’t stand up more boldly for what I believe in, specifically related to current issues I believe to be challenging our democracy. It’s easy for me to stand up for disenfranchised kids or Veterans, citizens that need healthcare. Why don’t I stand tall for my political beliefs? It is uncomfortable!
I was raised in a time when you didn’t talk about sex, politics or religion, we just didn’t, but we protested the Vietnam war. I wondered do I have the language for this kind of discussion OR maybe I don’t have the courage. Maybe I hide behind the notion that I’m not going to change anyone’s way of thinking so why bother having a conversation that may get contentious. Manu offered a way to have a conversation by asking what would happen if we stayed in curiosity with one another and didn’t try to sway others to our way of thinking? This is what Bridge USA is teaching high school and college students, how to have the conversation.
The principles of Bridge USA support Viewpoint Diversity, Constructive Engagement and Solution Oriented Political Culture. This project is teaching youth how to engage with one another in respectful dialogue. I am inspired to learn how to do this too! Thanks to High Desert Museum for bringing this to our community and to Bridge USA for doing this challenging and important work.
Upcoming Series
Water in the High Desert
This fall we will be hosting a series on Water in the High Desert. We’ve reimagined this foundational series to include five events that will explore the art and science of water in the region. The series culminates in an interactive art installation by Harmonic Laboratory that will share participants’ experiences with the broader public. Do you know someone who would be interested in participating? Please share this opportunity with your community! We are also looking for one HDP alumni to participant in the series. If you are interested, please let me know.
Learn more HERE.