Circles of Cross-Cultural Sharing

Faribault residents from different cultures have been gathering over these last four weeks in cross-cultural Sharing Circles. The groups have taken place weekly, providing an opportunity for people to share backgrounds and experiences, to learn about one another’s cultures, and to form friendships across cultural lines. As one Somali gentleman said, “Animals get to know one another by smell. People get to know one another by talk.” The talking has opened up our understanding of others who share Faribault with us as a home.

People shared difficult memories of how civil war disrupted their lives, of how things were before and after. People spoke of growing up, of family, of values, of simple life, of reasons for moving on. Questions were raised and answered about how people make a living, of what people eat or don’t eat, of rules here that are important to understand.

In the end, people felt positive about the experience. They could now say “hello” to someone who was no longer a stranger. We had all understood more about one another: about the welcome people wanted to extend, about the struggles of settling anew, about the unity we all desired.

The groups are only a beginning. All said they would welcome other opportunities to continue the conversation. The community gardens, a summer picnic, or shared projects can be the opportunity to build upon what has begun. We encourage others to join with us in what is an ongoing effort to create community among us all.

Bob Kell