Sunday Reflections- The Third Way

I have been thinking a lot lately about "the third way". Like the place between pro-life and pro-choice. Or the place between pro-war and anti-war. Some place way--way above compromise.

Our country is split down the middle.
Both sides are energizing their bases.
Both sides are expressing great anger at each other.
We are losing our sense of community.

Compromise is never a good third-way solution. It leaves both sides believing that they have lost something. Collaboration for the common good is what we should be seeking. Simply stated, the way there begins with listening with heart to each other. Compare for example, court imposed school integration with what happen at Vassar College in the 1930s.

At the time Dr. Howard Thurman was the Dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University. He was also a visiting teacher at the white only Vassar College. A committee had organized at Vassar to discuss admitting women of color to the school. Thurman organized a trip to Howard of 5 Vassar women. While there, each student roomed with an African-American woman student. The Vassar women reciprocated by inviting their hosts to Vassar for a visit. The following is a quote from Thurman¹s autobiography ²With Head and Heart².

"Finally, the activity of the Vassar Committee had effect. The application to Vassar of a black graduating senior from a public school in New York City was accepted. The committee raised a special scholarship fund for her and met her during the spring session so that she would not be a stranger when she entered college in the fall. This student had a brilliant four-years at Vassar and later entered the medical profession. She broke ground for the hundreds of black women who followed."

Victor Bremson

May 9, 2004