Concord Mayor ― To move forward, we must listen to each other

The past four months have brought about some of the most difficult emotions that many of us have ever tried to manage. We are living through a global pandemic, along with seeing a spotlight focused on many of the divides that still exist in this country.

So many of us took heed to the warnings when our workplaces, schools and houses of worship were forced to close. We went inside and stopped seeing our extended family and friends. We did this in an effort to slow the spread and flatten the curve of a deadly disease. Since then, we have all experienced moments of isolation and emotional exhaustion. We have hope for the moment when we may see an end, but that day has not yet arrived.

Health officials imposed a face mask requirement, but it still kept coming.

We tried to open the doors of local businesses and places of recreation, to move toward what we know to be normal (practicing our faith, getting a haircut, taking a walk through the park – all to find ways out of this difficult time), but it still kept coming.

Officials urged our community to work together to stay safe and take precautions, but it still kept coming.

Our patience grew thin, and we questioned what to do next. And then we experienced another trauma. Our nation and community felt the pain of injustice push us to a collective tipping point with the killing of George Floyd, and it still kept coming.

We found isolation, but what we didn’t realize is that there was an isolation occurring prior to this shelter-in-place. The social discord has been happening for years, even lifetimes. With our curated social media feeds and handpicked news sources, we now have a hesitation to engage in true and meaningful dialogue because we might not know the right information. So the pain and uncertainty of this pandemic and social injustices continue.

We need to find a way to talk to each other, not over social media or text message, but find the courage to talk and the courage to listen. We need the courage to ask hard questions, debate viewpoints with civility and empathy, and find common ground.

We can do this. We can be strong together by having good two-way conversations, by working toward ending the isolation, pain and discord, and finding a meaningful way to unite – as people, as a community, as Concordians.

Mayor Tim McGallian can be reached at 925.671.2489 or email Tim.McGallian@cityofconcord.org