Article archive / July 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 11. Source pages: 2.
I’ve been covering the news in our community for about four years now, and it has taken me a long time to even begin to know all the different people and groups that make us who we are. We’re a complex, interesting social system.
I believe that two recent events suggest an important shift in our culture, a culture that Senator J.P. Morrell described as “warring fiefdoms.” It was also rumored that he said dealing with us was like herding cats. How awful, to be characterized this way by Senator Morrell.
That is why two events seem like a fresh wind blowing.
Last week, the task force on school psychology specialists met for the first time. This group will be addressing something that has deeply separated the clinical psychologists from the school psychologists. I don’t know or understand all the background but I was moved when Dr. Steven Welsh stated at a planning meeting of the psychology board that it was the first time in 30 years that someone had been invited to talk about the issue.
The other event was the meeting of the Louisiana Coalition for Violence Prevention. The meeting brought together many different people from different disciplines. The group process was a delightful mix of ideas, criticisms, support, topic shifts, and humor. Underneath it was a core of respect and goodwill. John Simoneaux, a founder of the Coalition, set the tone with his sincerity, inclusiveness and vision.
While the process was a bit ragged, it was the tone that was fundamentally different from most of the other groups I’ve covered over the last years.
Of course, it is much easier to interact effectively when goals are already in alignment, and much harder when dealing with turf conflicts. But trust starts in open communication and mutual respect, and trust is required for solving conflicts when the going gets tough.
Both events are a long way from being sent to the play therapy room by Senators who know a lot less about human behavior than we do.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.