Are you dismayed by the deep divides in our country? Do you long for a way to build understanding and compassion, to be engaged, stretched, inspired – even hopeful? Then Building Bridges Word by Word is for you.
We don’t pretend there are easy answers or instant solutions, but we believe there are things each of us can do to begin to mend the rifts that divide us. Sharing our stories is one of them. When we have the opportunity to speak from the heart and feel that we have been heard, we tend to be more receptive to listening to others. And listening to others, hearing what is meaningful to them, shines a light on all that we share.
With that in mind, Building Bridges Word by Word has created a safe space where we can share our stories, discover what we may have in common, and begin to build bridges across our divides.
But we can’t do it without you.
This is a virtual book in progress and YOU are the authors!
We invite you to help build bridges by writing a short reflection (up to 250 words) on a saying, quote, song, or poem that is meaningful to you. By sharing your stories here on Substack and posting the entire collection on Building Bridges Word by Word, we enable each of us to get to know a wide range of people, including those outside of our circles – people we might not normally encounter or perhaps even seek out. By displaying stories from people from all walks of life, the project reflects the rich diversity of our country and seeks to offer something we desperately need – a safe space where we can begin to see ourselves in others.
Wondering what you might write about? Think about a line or two that speaks to who you are or what you believe. It could be a saying that seems particularly relevant these days or a quote that you’ve taped to your refrigerator or tacked on to your emails because it captures how you feel about the world. Or it could be a song that gives you comfort or joy or a poem that challenges you to think or act differently
To get started, read the collection of stories on the Building Bridges Word by Word website and meet the people who wrote them. You may find that their story is an inspiration for your own or that their song is also your song. That’s okay. There’s no limit to the number of stories that can be written about the same text.
We look forward to working with you to post your story. As more and more people tell their stories and listen to each other, we can start to build understanding, empathy, and trust. To ensure that this is a safe space, please refrain from commentaries on others. We will not accept malicious content, hostile language, or anonymous reflections.
To learn more about the project visit Building Bridges Word by Word. Then review the guidelines, prompts and next steps for submitting your story.
If you are the authors, who am I? What inspired me to start this project?
Hi. My name is Megan Scribner. I’m the creator and curator of Building Bridges Word by Word.
Seeing the deep divisions in our country, I wondered how we could ever get beyond them. Rather than give up hope, I felt compelled to try and do something about it. But what could I do?
Having been an editor for almost 40 years, I don’t have a public persona or a large following to draw on. But I do have years of experience lifting up people’s voices and helping them tell their stories. One project that stood out was co-editing, with Sam Intrator, three poetry anthologies, Teaching with Fire, Leading from Within, and Teaching with Heart. For these books, we worked with hundreds of teachers and leaders as they reflected on poems that had meaning for them in their work and life.
The books were based on the notion that slowing down and reflecting on what matters to us can yield poignant insights into what is most significant and enduring in our lives. This rang true with readers who shared that the reflections often resonated with their own life experiences, sometimes in surprising ways.
About this time, I found a quote by my friend and colleague Parker J. Palmer, that really spoke to me:
With all the bitter divides in the U.S. and around the world, and the violence that comes with them, it's hard to believe that human beings can create community with each other. But we can and we do… When we do, we’ll find our differences taking on less importance, as we start to see the Light in every human being – even when they cannot see it themselves. On that foundation, we can build a better world.
I was similarly moved by a quote from Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall:
The legal system can force open doors, and sometimes even knock down walls. But it cannot build bridges. That job belongs to you and me. Afro and White, rich, and poor, educated and illiterate, our fates are bound together. We can run from each other but we cannot escape each other. We will only attain freedom if we learn to appreciate what is different and muster the courage to discover what is fundamentally the same.
I was inspired by their belief in what is possible when we are able to see each other in a new light. I also appreciated that they did not say we should ignore or paper over our differences. Rather, they suggested that when we see each other for who we are, the differences become less important. In other words, before we can bridge our divides, we need to recognize that while we have our own unique life experiences, we also have many of the same hopes, fears, and dreams. Only with this realization can we begin the kind of conversations that draw us together rather than drive us apart.
These insights stayed with me and became the premise for Building Bridges Word by Word.
I hope you’ll consider sending in a reflection. I’d be delighted to work with you on your story, lightly editing it for clarity or length, with your approval before posting. For more about the process, please review our Story Guidelines. If you have questions, feel free to email me at buildingbridgeswbw@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Not up for telling your story? That’s okay. Reading each other’s stories is also an important part of bridge building. By walking across the bridges built by others’ stories, you strengthen their voices and the connections between us.
Benefits of subscribing
One of the joys of working on Building Bridges Word by Word is opening my inbox and finding poignant reflections (often written by people unknown to me). I am uplifted by their heartfelt stories and moved by their willingness to share something that matters deeply to them.
Sharing these reflections on Substack feels like the perfect way to pass on the same experience to you. Doing so also fits Building Bridges Word by Word’s goal to share the stories as widely as possible. Lifting your spirits is an added benefit!
That’s why anyone who subscribes, or just drops by, will be able to read all of our posts. There is no paywall on any of the posts.
All Subscribers
All subscribers will receive Building Bridges Word by Word Substack emails on Tuesdays and Thursdays – and sometimes on Wednesday. Each newsletter will include at least one of the following:
Stories (yours and others) about a meaningful saying, quote, song, or poem
Reflection questions and prompts for stories
Blog posts on the challenges and rewards of bridge building
Posts written by others that align with the intent and spirit of this project
Information about monthly Book Giveaways.
Paid Subscribers - Bridge Builders and Difference Makers
Building Bridges Word by Word provides free story editing and posting to ensure everyone can participate. We also put a great deal of effort into sharing the stories and reaching out to encourage others to participate. Since our project relies on volunteer efforts, your support would be greatly appreciated and would help keep this initiative going. Please consider being a Bridge Builder. At $5.00 a month, it’s about the same price as a large Chai tea latte – my favorite!
If you’re interested and able to give more, we have a Difference Makers option with a suggested $150 per year subscription. At $12.50 a month, it’s more like a Chai tea latte and a scone or two. We’d love to be considered on the same level of such a delicious combination.
As a special thank you for your support (at any level), all Bridge Builders and Difference Makers will be automatically entered into our monthly Book Giveaways for a chance to win autographed books by outstanding authors and poets.
Thank you for considering supporting us!
