Today, many people believe that the United States is deeply divided, and that makes us weak and vulnerable to manipulation. Social media and the pandemic have made it easier to stay in our comfort zones of home, friends, family, churches — among folk who think and look like “us.”
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The metaphor of America as a melting pot doesn’t work anymore. No one wants to merge and abandon their core identity.
I propose reformulating our recipe as a well-seasoned gumbo; you can still taste each individual ingredient, and the entire dish becomes something extraordinary.
Working on this issue of Motif has moved me, and directly connected me with people I would never bump into in the Zuckerverse or Twitterblog. I hope the stories and images inspire you to get out and meet someone who is different.
Let us know what you think — and what you’d like to see next in Motif.
Thanks for reading.
More Posts by The Author:
Who Will We Speak For?: A review of Incident at Vichy, produced by Head Trick Theater at the Mathewson Street Church, June, 2023
Squid’s Ink: The joke’s on us
Urban Trail Trial Hindenburg?: Testy Tempers on Hope Street
Don’t Cancel Your Summer Reading and Listening: Books that deserve some acclaim
Henry Rollins is Back in the Van: Rock and Rollins at The Met
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