I Have Faith in the People of Seward by Carla Ketner

When we began This I Believe Seward, I was optimistic that we would soon be flooded with essays submitted by Seward residents with strongly-held beliefs that compelled them to speak out. That didn't happen, and I began to search for reasons. Was it because people were too busy or didn't feel competent to write an essay? Did we inadequately promote the project? Were others doing as I have, struggling to choose just one belief about which to write? After talking with people throughout the community, I believe that all of these are contributing to the slow trickle of essays coming into the website instead of the flood I imagined.

I also believe that there's another reason. In the past few weeks several people have told me they are thinking about their beliefs as a result of reading about This I Believe Seward. I am glad to hear that, as that is one of our goals for the project. Unfortunately, they've also told me they're not going to send us their essays because they're reluctant to share their beliefs and open themselves up to negative responses from other community members. One woman told me that she favors a woman's right to choose an abortion, but feared that she would be run out of town for saying so. Another man told me he was writing his essay but couldn't submit it for fear of losing his job if his true beliefs became public.

I understand the way they're thinking. I myself didn't attend the Democratic Party caucus in February because I didn't want everyone in Seward to know my political affiliation. I haven't submitted my essay about my religious or social beliefs for similar reasons, and instead have been searching for a safe belief to write about, something that everyone can believe in and not hold against me.

This reluctance to share my beliefs is based on certain assumptions, which may or may not be true: the assumption that I'm the only one who believes as I do on a certain religious, social, or political issue; and the assumption that those who disagree with me will condemn me. It's risky to challenge these assumptions and publicly profess a belief I fear may not be popular.

What this tells me is that it's going to be hard to have an open, honest dialogue about values and beliefs in Seward because many people are afraid to be open and honest about their beliefs. But I have faith in the people of Seward. I believe that we can disagree respectfully. I've found this to be true in the past, such as when I've talked to parents who will not allow their children to read the Harry Potter books or The Golden Compass but respect my right to choose what my own children read. I believe that there is more diversity of opinion in Seward than I assume; the Civic Center auditorium, for instance, was filled for the Democratic caucus. I believe maintaining my own intellectual integrity at times requires me to express my beliefs, even if they may be unpopular. And I believe that the people of Seward can put aside our assumptions and respectfully respond to each other, no matter what we believe.