Pam Y. Fields

I haven’t posted in a while, but I wanted to start the New Year with some helpful and encouraging thoughts. The Unity Process that I created takes a small diverse group through 9 sessions geared towards helping them to be able to develop relationships across all the divides in our society. I offer you music that matches those sessions.

Sessions 1-3 have participants looking inward on their socialization around race and other dividers. This helps participants realize their own biases and stereotypes, so they won’t be obstacles in building relationships. The music for these sessions – Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson – We first need to deal with ourselves and our stuff and then reach out to others.

Sessions 4-6 have participants learn how to engage in healthy conversations around race and other dividers. If we can’t have healthy conversations, then how can we build relationships? They also learn how to lead a small group in having healthy conversations. The music for these sessions – What’s Going On? by Marvin Gaye. and Where is the Love? by Black Eyed Peas. They are discovery songs like the sessions and talks about bringing love and understanding and love and peace.

Sessions 7-9 participants get to practice by leading the group in discussion on a topic of their choice. Participants learn that it takes all of us working together. The music for these sessions – We Are the World by USA for Africa – This song speaks to our connectedness but also to the state of some people’s lives, but collectively, we can make things better.

I have some bonus songs for you to listen to – One Love by Bob Marley, Lean on Me by Bill Withers, Black or White by Michael Jackson, and Imagine by John Lennon. I hope this encourages you to get together and feel all right. Lean on Me is my encouragement to reach out to me if you need someone to talk to, if you need resources, or anything else. I am here to help you imagine a new world and a new United States.

I hope you are inspired in this new year and beyond to take care of ‘the least of these’, as the Bible refers to those in need, and to help usher in love, peace, healing, and unity in every way that you can. The work may seem momentous but if we come together and collectively work toward love, peace, understanding, healing, and unity, it will be easier.