Water is both critical and scarce across the desert southwest and a topic that touches on the lives of everyone in the communities. We are Water brings a traveling exhibition and interactive educational programs to libraries in rural, Indigenous, Latinx, and rural communities in the Southwestern United States. Hosted in public and Tribal libraries, the exhibition creates a place for communities to share their connections to water and explore multiple ways of knowing water. Using the exhibit display as the community hook, partner libraries engage visitors in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and  Math) activities and events that are designed to inspire dialogue and community learning around water topics and connect with community partners to bring engaging learning experiences to the communities. 

[Photo 1: A young boy plays with the We are Water connect four game. Credit. Daniela Pennycook/CIRES] 

[Photo 2: Community members discuss the We are Water ‘Be a Water Manager’ scenario-based activity.  Credit: Daniela Pennycook/CIRES] 

Water Stories  

Community voices and stories are the foundations for the We are Water program. To honor multiple ways of knowing and to elevate community knowledge about water, our team works with community members at each host site location to record local water stories. From Third Mesa in Arizona to the San  Luis Valley in Colorado, these stories highlight the diverse perspectives and experiences of people living in the Southwestern U.S. and enable visitors to learn about water from people in their community and region. Stories range from memories about water to reflections about water’s cultural connections. 

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Quotes from two water stories illustrate the character of these community stories from people with different backgrounds and cultural experiences, but they each touch on the importance and care for water. 

“Just because water comes in abundance from the faucet doesn’t mean it’s abundant.” — Trisha  (Chochiti, Ohkay Owhingeh, Kewa, NM) 

“I had to teach myself how to irrigate 760 acres, and that’s when I began to love the land and love the  water like never before.” — Reyes (San Luis Valley, CO) 

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Stories are integrated throughout the We are Water exhibit and programs. For example, visitors can listen to the community stories through the exhibit “story wall” or in the online gallery and they can gather and share community stories about water through the Be a Water Historian kit. Storytelling activities, such as scenario-based games, artwork, and observational science, enable visitors to further share their perspectives, experiences and knowledge, and tell their own stories about water in their communities.

[Photo 3: A visitor listens to a water story at the We are Water exhibit in Bayfield, CO. Credit: Pine River  Library] 

Living Room Conversation guide: Water and Life 

The ‘Water and Life’ conversation guide is the newest addition to the exhibit extension activities. The conversation guide provides a structured way for community members to come together to share,  listen, and learn from each other all centered around water in their community. These community conversations provide a unique opportunity to share reflections about water as a vital topic to the shared environment and community health but is rarely discussed. This new We are Water conversation guide is centered around questions that encourage reflections about people’s relationship with water – for example, what is a memory about water or what are your hopes and concerns about water in the community? The guide also includes a prompt for participants to think about what might be missing in the community conversations about water. The thoughtful scaffolding of the guide provides a  conversation template and guides groups to a communal reflection on what water means in their community. A guide for the facilitator is included.  

[Photo 4: Water and Life conversation guide] 

The conversation guide was developed in collaboration with our partners at the Colorado State Library,  Western Water Assessment, and Living Room Conversation staff, and is publicly available on the LRC  website in both English and Spanish. The We Are Water host site librarians attended a training about how to conduct a living room conversation, and three sites will be using the new Water and Life conversation guide later this year. As host libraries and the public will use the program to facilitate community conversations about water, individuals will hopefully develop common interests, awareness  and appreciation for the different viewpoints and will work together toward a water future they want for their communities.  

From the Living Room Conversation staff: 

Each one of us has a profound relationship with water. This conversation guide prompts us to explore the impacts water has on our life, those around us, and our quality of being. This Earth Day, we invite you to try out the Water and Life conversation guide and “dive deeper” into discussing this remarkable source of life we all share.

This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is ‘Celebrating Women Who Share Our Stories’. To celebrate, we the women on our team gathered to answer a few questions from our conversation guides:

• How have stories about history impacted you? Who has been an impactful female historical figure in your life? (History and Society: https://livingroomconversations.org/topics/history_society/)

• What examples of female leadership did you grow up with? Who were your female role models? (Women + Leadership: https://livingroomconversations.org/topics/women_leadership_and_power/)

• What personal experiences, if any, do you have with gender inequality? (Women and Society: https://livingroomconversations.org/topics/women-in-society/) 

Here are some of the responses:

Joan: Biographies and autobiographies of women are one of my favorite ways to have a window into history and culture- Wild Swans, Daughter of Persia, Eleanore Roosevelt, Woman of Egypt……

(anonymous): I am in awe and admiration of some of the more current historical figures — those that are making an impact in the recent past, such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Hilary.  Both are bright, amazing women that didn’t let the opinions of men hold them back.  They pushed forward to show their brilliance, compassion and common sense even in the midst of adversity.

Becca: For me personally, it’s been a long journey of recognizing what gender inequality looks like in practice. I’ve experienced little things like people speaking to my husband and not acknowledging me as well as bigger things like struggling with imposter syndrome or feeling out of place in predominantly male spaces. I am so appreciative for women who speak up and tell their stories. In a way, they give voice to my own experiences, thoughts, and feelings. As a mother of four boys and one girl, it’s so important to share these stories. Whether I realized it growing up or not, I have always been drawn to stories about women. I remember the brief mentions as a child of Sacagawea, Joan of Arc, and Harriet Tubman in school and wanting to know more. I love discovering more names and stories and adding my own experience to women’s history.

Cassidy: As I have grown and become involved in women’s health issues, I have come to greatly admire the former supreme court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, so much so that I named my dog after her The way she was so outspoken about women’s rights and fought diligently to reduce instances of gendered prejudice and discrimination is very inspirational to me.

Sushila: Although not listed as historical figures, authors of women’s history have made the most impact on me as they opened a world not taught in my 20 years of formal education. Riane Eisler’s The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future answered my questions about why half the world’s population’s contributions were not included in our world narrative. Her more recent books, Nurturing Our Humanity: How Domination and Partnership Shape Our Brains, Lives, and Future and The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics present how we can shift from humanity’s destruction to a sustainable caring world if we connect the value of women and the earth we live on to our actions and economic choices. Women’s stories reveal the alternatives to a masculine dominated world narrative. Some of my favorites: Man Made Language by Dale Spender, When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd (I replicated her pilgrimage in Crete), and Untie the Strong Woman by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

Anaïs: Even though history is about what has happened in our past, we are still uncovering and discovering so much about it, which makes history feel just as mysterious and changeable as the future. Especially when history is taught from a single story perspective — which has often been the case in American history — and coming to relearn history from the perspectives of those who have been intentionally silenced and shut out. Having to reshape our ideas of what has been traditionally taught impacts our identity in ways that can be empowering and/or devastating, depending on who and what you’re reading about. As a woman of color, relearning history carries both disappointment and empowerment. As far as impactful female figures in my life, growing up, I have always admired Harriet Tubman. The courage and bravery it took to not only pave the way to free herself, but going back to free others, is a way of heart that I carry within me to this day. I also deeply admire Sojourner Truth, famous for her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. Like Harriet Tubman, she escaped from slavery to freedom with her infant daughter. Truth reminds me that our voice carries power, resonance, truth, and to be bold in our truth. Lastly, I also want to recognize Josephine Baker, who was a dancer, singer and actress. I just recently found out about her when someone commented on one of my dance videos, “Channeling that Josephine Baker”. I had to look her up immediately and was just in AWE. Her expression is wildly unhinged, daring, bold, and free. I can see so much of myself in her expression and am deeply inspired by her work.

What’s your story? How would you answer some of these questions? We’d love to know how women, history, and gender inequality have impacted you. Happy Women’s History Month!

Consciously or unconsciously, our communities contribute to our identity and sense of self. While each of us has our own unique identity, whether a community is one that “bridges” or “others” plays a crucial role in the formation of a healthy identity and ultimately, a healthy community.

Othering is a pattern of exclusion and marginalization based on having identities that are different from the norm. As John A. Powell, the Director of the Haas Institute at UC Berkeley says, “Othering is not about liking or disliking someone. It is based on the conscious or unconscious assumption that a certain identified group poses a threat to a favored group.” What is the norm or the favored group, though, is simply a social construct where arbitrary lines of separation are drawn based on differences. They may believe “these people think differently than me,” “they threaten my way of life,” “they cannot be trusted,” and, sometimes, even “they are less than fully human.” Often we see these perceived differences and othering manifest in politics, race, and gender. However, in acknowledging the inevitability and richness of differences, people who bridge instead of “other” may observe“they may think differently than me, but they are worth listening to,” and “they deserve to be part of the conversation, even if we disagree,” and “my life is richer because of our connection.”

In the mission statement of Living Room Conversations, the emphasis is on bridging; conversations for connection not for the purpose of persuasion, but rather, for sharing experiences and deepening our understanding of other perspectives. Not only do Living Room Conversations prioritize and encourage participants to provide each other with common courtesy and respect but also to actively seek people who share different perspectives to join in conversations. Through bridging, Living Room Conversations exemplify the creation of a community that fosters not “saming” but “belonging.”

One time, I entered into a conversation with someone about happiness. Both of us agreed that happiness is important, but the other person thought my reason was superficial and elevated her own view about happiness, leaving little room for my perspective to stand. The existence of one perspective does not eradicate the possibility of another. I felt judged and disrespected in spite of our agreement about the overall importance of happiness. 

Another time, I disagreed with a person about whether schools should expand the scope of Latin texts written by men and, for example, include more Latin texts written by women. There was little common ground between our two points of view. I felt quite intrigued by her largely opposite perspective. I appreciated how she gave me time to talk until I finished and listened carefully to what I said throughout; I could feel that she strived to understand my perspective. Even though in the end she was not much swayed, her respect for me allowed me to offer my respect to her in a mutual way, and the conversation was much more fruitful and satisfying.

When I participate in a Living Room Conversation, I remember that all the participants read the conversation guidelines, which emphasize respect for all. It isdue to such emphasis and the resulting atmosphere that I feel that even when I do not agree with another participant, I am able to express my thoughts freely and receive something even more valuable—an alternative perspective that can broaden my scope. Providing respect for others is a way of providing respect for oneself, opening up the door to different voices so that we can disrupt our preconceptions and, instead of judging, understand both ourselves and the world around us in a better light.

By Fengrui (Sophia) He

As inevitable navigators of society and the internal mind, we are all , right at this moment, going through experiences that shape our values and political beliefs. For teenagers, schools are a major part of their lives and play an indispensable role in the shaping of these values, whether intentionally or not.

A high school student myself, I go to a Catholic girl’s school. For one of our assignments, we are asked to write about any issue we care about and deliver a speech. One student chose the topic of abortion and expressed her own views during the speech. During and after the speech, many students among the audience expressed disagreement with her views and were even in disbelief that she brought it up. The issue of abortion entails many aspects, including religion, which within the context of my school, might be more sensitive. One student even confronted her, though not intending to start a discussion of the subject matter itself. The “news” then spread to more people, and there seemed to be a clear majority of those who opposed her views, and the minority.

I realized that the world I see on a daily basis is so limited when compared to that of the entire society. It might make it hard to be exposed to opinions that are different from our own, as we both influence and are influenced by the limited amount of people around us. In addition, a lack of mutual openness in discussion might contribute to this further by creating a stark divide between a majority and a minority in a certain environment, leading to political polarization.

Although already a problem in itself, political polarization in a school setting might lead to the silencing of one voice in comparison to another. Such lack of diversity might steer one’s beliefs in a more singular direction, especially when they are still in the process of formation, since the teenage years are when values start to substantiate. More importantly, people whose beliefs are influenced by their environment might not be conscious of such an external force.

Considering this situation, before being able to trust the liberal or conservative perspective, the precondition is to be exposed to beliefs different from their own, and above all, to have an open heart that allows for those differences. Such efforts are hard enough, and increasingly so, beyond the school sphere; sometimes, it is not because there are no different voices, but because people refuse to listen to them. However, in school settings, the situation is perhaps even more dire, because there might be a lack of different voices in the first place. I believe, though, that different voices always exist.  It is just a matter of whether we have the eyes to see them.

Through my past experiences participating at Living Room Conversations, I was able to learn about the perspectives of people who differ from me in terms of race, gender, age, and so many more aspects. The conversation guides and agreements provided a relatively  safe space where people, despite possessing different ideas, listened to one another with respect. With these motivations in mind, today, as a member of the Youth Council at Living Room Conversations, I, together with the whole Youth Council team, aim to bridge across the differences both among the younger generations and with other groups of people. We hope to get closer to our vision where all different voices join together in polyphony like a choir, where we welcome instead of reject differences, and where, through learning about ours, we learn more deeply about ourselves and the values we truly care about.

What led you to Living Room Conversations?

Sonder is my favorite word in the English language, a noun for the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. From grey shadows around the corner to the mysterious musician on the midnight train, each carries a scroll of unique stories within their hearts. Together, these stories form the tapestry of human understanding, and conversations are the very threads that weave this tapestry together.

I grew up suspended between two worlds. Born in China, I enjoyed having a caring family and being surrounded by people who shared my culture. I remember my grandmother’s sun-baked hands, my grandfather’s favorite baseball cap, and how we would sit down every New Year’s Eve for a warm family meal. However, everything changed when we moved to the United States. That day, I rose with the Beijing sun and slept under the New York moon. As I struggled to absorb the new language and culture, I realized that I was no longer the majority, but a minority. In the eyes of others, I was not Han Chinese, but simply Asian-American. As that revelation dawned on me, fear and insecurity drowned out my voice. I built up walls of silence and encased myself within them, believing that I was safe from any danger. Unfortunately, my newfound status also introduced me to a companion called racism. From offensive remarks at school to public confrontation on a New York subway, it trailed behind me, taunting and sneering. I knew the walls would not stand and began to question my silence. 

That was when I found my voice in the place I least expected: Living Room Conversations. In this organization, strangers engage in discussions over a variety of social issues. It never crossed my mind that a country so divided on political and racial lines can come together and talk like family. Encouraged by my school counselor, I signed up for my first Living Room Conversation with curiosity and uncertainty. An hour before the conversation, I received a heart-warming phone call from a member of the LRC staff. She asked me if I had any questions or needed help since this was my first discussion. Hearing her kind and reassuring voice made me feel a strong sense of community. Before entering the call, I placed a piece of paper over my computer camera, still paranoid that an accidental glimpse of my face would stir unwanted insecurities. To my surprise, I was welcomed with nothing but warm smiles and friendly hellos, prompting me to turn on my camera and remove that piece of paper. As we engaged in conversation, I felt safe and respected. People listened to each other intently and nodded their heads in encouragement. When it came to my turn to speak, I told them about my experiences growing up in China and my strong beliefs towards gender equality. I stuttered more than I spoke, but there were no interruptions, only interest, and respect. As the conversation came to an end, we shared our concluding thoughts and appreciations. I was shocked when many participants thanked me for sharing my experiences in China. They informed me that Living Room Conversations is always looking for diversity, whether in terms of age, race, or opinion. Upon hearing that, the walls of silence and insecurity began to crack. 

After my first discussion, I scoured the Living Room Conversations website for events and reached out to the staff for volunteer opportunities. With warm guidance and generous support, I was able to join various conversations and train as an assistant host. In the Race and Ethnicity Series, I listened to others recount their experiences with racism and became aware of my unconscious biases. The conversation created an atmosphere of solidarity that linked our hearts together despite being miles apart. In the discussion on Mental Health, I spoke with people who showed incredible strength and learned about stigmas in society and media. During Life in the Time of Corona, I openly talked about the racial scapegoating I received as an Asian person in the United States. Together, we battled the uncertainty of the future and found solace in shared struggles. Conversation by conversation, I began to stand a little taller and talk a little louder. Recently, I joined with fellow participants to develop the conversation guide Race in the Time of Corona. It was incredibly empowering to work with others and solidify our beliefs into something that could raise awareness. By doing so, we have given ourselves a voice and created a safe place for unity to brew.

Of all the conversations I participated in, one participant’s story stood out to me. During the Race and Ethnicity conversation, Lewis told us about how surviving two near-death experiences taught him that “we are all the same…and uniquely different…” As a result, Lewis established a ground-breaking career in diversity-training and became a pioneer in his field. Listening to Lewis’ story was an eye-opening moment; it taught me the importance of human connection and understanding. To create a truly diverse and inclusive community–where we view ourselves as more than just members of a particular nation or group– we need to listen, respect, and include all sorts of individuals and perspectives. 

Becoming a part of Living Room Conversations has helped me regain my voice and find the community I longed for – the community that supports me when I ask them to, and especially when I don’t.  Through stories like Lewis’, each uniquely fascinating, I understood and experienced sonder. Actually, we are all passersby — a quick blur in the beautiful cityscape that is this world. But if we take the time to stop, whether to have a conversation or to simply ask each other’s name, we will gain the courage to weave this tapestry of humanity.

Why is it so important for young people to participate in Living Room Conversations? 

2020 is a year of momentous change. As a young generation, we are reliving three points of history at once: the flu pandemic of 1918, the stock market crash of 1929, and the protests of 1968. Fifty years ago, students flooded the streets demanding an end to Vietnam and organized sit-ins to protest the country’s racial hierarchy. From Frank Korematsu’s defiance of Japanese internment to the Occupation of Alcatraz, young people have shaped this country through their activism and determination. However, the fight for justice has not yet ended. The torrent of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic perpetuates the racist “yellow peril” metaphor. The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others remind us that history repeats itself. Therefore, it is our responsibility, as a rising generation, to continue this crusade for the next fifty years. I believe that the first step towards initiating change is understanding change. On the surface, talking to strangers doesn’t seem to create any change. However, by participating in healthy conversations, we expose each other to diverse perspectives and educate ourselves on social issues. We are also recognizing our biases and changing one opinion at a time. When we feel respected and listened to, it is easier for us to find a passion for change. It is also crucial for young people to support each other and create a sense of generational unity, much like the student activists did back then. In the conversation on Mental Health, I met Briscoe, another young LRC host. Her intelligence, eloquence, and incredible leadership was so inspiring and empowering. Briscoe and I have since teamed up to host conversations together and build a youth-led community. For these reasons, I would like to encourage myself and other young people to participate in Living Room Conversations and drive change for our global community. 

While Sophia was living in China, she went to normal Chinese public schools without an English-speaking environment. When she was four years old, her mom brought Sophia along to the U.S. for a year. Sophia’s one-year kindergarten experience in the U.S. provided her with a foundation of the English language and western culture. However, her mom finished her work after a year and Sophia returned to China and continued her study within the Chinese educational system. 

Ever since Sophia was little, she showed that she was comfortable having conversations with different people. Starting with greeting family friends and talking with strangers in the neighborhood, Sophia experienced human connection through conversations in a world where mobile technology did not prevail. 

Throughout the time Sophia lived in China, her parents also brought her to places around the world to travel, especially English-speaking countries. She has been to England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand besides the U.S. and has had living experiences in each country for around a month or more. Her trips to those countries allowed her to become familiar with different cultures and formed her as someone more open, empathetic, and with critical thinking.

The summer Sophia was about to enter seventh grade, she came to the U.S. to study. The American educational system provided Sophia with the opportunity to learn knowledge she otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, such as U.S. history and world history. Being in a foreign environment, Sophia found that learning about a country’s past helps with understanding its present. Through her studies, she slowly began to understand the current American society and people’s actions. She enjoys drawing connections between past events and current-day issues, and when sticking her nose in a history textbook and listening to John Green on YouTube no longer satisfied her, she remembered human connection. She longs to hear the unique perspectives of others on issues, and in such a fast-paced society today, she simply wants to connect with others on a deeper level. Around this time, luckily, Sophia was introduced by her friend Peilin to Living Room Conversations, a nonprofit organization that creates a safe space for human connection through conversations. She immediately got involved and started her journey at LRC from there.

After joining in discussions on the LRC platform, Sophia found the human connection she originally desired under the atmosphere of mutual respect between participants of a conversation created by LRC guidelines. She was especially moved by the respect given to her by participants of the conversation who were older than her and truly learned more by listening to people from different age groups.

Being inspired by the many leaders on the LRC platform who host or co-host their conversations and after talks with her friend Peilin, Sophia thought about the aspect of media polarization and racial discrimination under the context of coronavirus and wondered what others had to say about this topic. Therefore, she and her friend Peilin wrote a conversation guide together addressing the sub-issues under the topic of media polarization and racial discrimination under the context of the coronavirus. Later, this conversation guide was incorporated into the coronavirus Race and Ethnicities Series of LRC.

This was only the first step that Sophia undertook to use her voice as an Asian, a female, and a youth. Sophia strongly believes that “Our generation of youth born in the 2000s are the future leaders. The sense of empowerment and connection that we share will help us achieve bigger goals together. Youths may not see the benefits of civic dialog that visibly, which is why it’s so important for youth pioneers to share their experiences and what they have learned participating in these conversations,” as she said in an interview with the LRC media. Sophia hopes to maximize her voice to inspire others to do the same and optimize the space for communication where people of all ages, all races and ethnicities, and all genders can offer their unique voices.