*This post is part of Free for All’s “Making Magic” series, which will focus on Kelley’s exploration of the opportunities in the library’s Creativity Lab.
Right now, our country is hurting. Whether your candidate won or lost last Tuesday, you know that there is a deep divide, that people feel misunderstood by those who don’t share their values, and it became very clear to us that an often overlooked group of people felt their voices weren’t being heard. Some people voted for what they hope will be radical change, some people protested in the streets while others celebrated, others cried or sat in silent deep grief. No matter who your candidate was, you know our country’s future is uncertain. You know that half of the country doesn’t understand the other half at all. And if you’re paying any attention, you know that part of that lack of understanding is due to an absence of listening. Not just listening to friends who share your values, but respectfully listening to those who don’t.
Jo Godwin once said that “a truly great library has something in it to offend everyone,” and it’s true. Literature and art are wonderful entry points to understanding different points of view, and libraries do their best to collect materials that represent all sides of every story. In a time when we need more understanding, artists are more important than ever. In the words of Nobel Prize winning author Toni Morrison, “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. This is how civilizations heal.”
Whether you’re a writer or a visual artist, you know the importance of self expression, you know the process of creating can be a process of healing and deeper understanding, and you know the powerful impact of sharing your work with others. This week, I’m not going to talk about a particular tool or project available in the library’s Creativity Lab. All I’m going to do is ask you to use your creativity to express yourself, to bring people together, to generate understanding and in turn create peace. Share your work, appreciate the work of others, practice deep listening. Be curious. Be open. And be grateful you have a gift that can bring people together.
