Sr. Simone Campbell is hitting the road, visiting bookstores to listen to people’s stories and discover where they are finding hope in these challenging times. Each day, she shares a heartfelt "postcard" capturing the voices, struggles, and aspirations of those she meets, offering a glimpse into the power of connection and community.
Today we launched our road trip going from DC through Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. I’m lucky to have an assistant traveling with me this year. Ben Fica is a student at University of Chicago and is my “helper” on this trip. We kicked things off in Harrisburg this evening with a crowd of about 30 people who were deeply interested in the concept of hope.
What we discovered was quite revealing. Everyone in the room had been in the Harrisburg area for at least 15 years, with some having been born there, moved away, and then returned. Despite their long-term residence, most felt they couldn't truly break into the local community. It seemed that being born and living all your life on the same street or side of the river made a significant difference in one's sense of belonging.
One woman mentioned that you really had to go looking for community. Another found it at the pool at the Y. After years of exercising there, she finally reached a point where people noticed her absence, which mattered to her. Yet, it was still hard to get rooted in the community.
The divide between the east and west banks of the Susquehanna River was another topic of discussion. The river, much larger than I expected, looked more like a lake. People rarely crossed the bridges.
One woman, a speech therapist, shared a story about a clients who had never crossed the river and were afraid to do so. Finally it got explained that this was racial coding for where people lived. This highlighted how local and insular communities can be, making them hard to penetrate.
Religion also came up, particularly the rigidity of the Catholic Church leadership. Some felt judged and alienated, unable to participate in their parishes, though they found homes elsewhere. This exclusion was a source of sadness for them.
By the end of the night, it was clear that hope hinges on our connections with each other. Several attendees told me they felt a touch of hope because we were connected. Despite initial nervousness about speaking in a semicircle, everyone participated. One woman, using a microphone for the first time, shared her struggles with belonging, and she did great.
As we wrapped up the first day of our 2024 trek, I was deeply moved by the hunger for community, the struggle to find it, and the willingness to risk being part of this group. I'm grateful to Midtown Scholars for hosting us in their wonderful bookstore in downtown Harrisburg.
Stay tuned. Tomorrow, we're off to Williamsport, and we'll have more to share along the way. Thank you for being part of this journey. It truly matters to me, and hopefully, we can indeed become the community we seek. As always, if you’re interested in sharing the postcards with friends, you can forward this to them and they can sign up using the “subscribe” button below.