October marked the start of Pikes Peak Habitat’s book club — a time for community members to meet, discuss books, and hear each other’s perspectives! The first title we chose is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect by John Inazu.
Inazu graduated from Air Academy High School here in El Paso County! He is also a U.S. Air Force veteran who was working in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. He now serves as a professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, a Trustee of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and a Senior Fellow with Interfaith America.
His book presents various scenarios in which disagreements often occur, as well as suggestions and reflection questions for how we can continue to respect and engage with each other despite our differences.
We chose this book to launch our discussions because our hope is that the book club will foster conversation and understanding. The goal isn’t for everyone to agree or come to the same conclusions, but rather for us to listen to each other, gain insight even when we disagree, and build mutual respect.
If you weren’t able to join the discussion, we still invite you to read the book! In addition to answering the reflection questions at the end of each chapter, consider the following:
How do you usually handle disagreements and divisive conversations? Do you think this is the best way to handle them? What do you aspire to do differently?
Why do you think Inazu uses the academic year to structure the book? How does this format impact your reading?
How do stories about his students and colleagues illustrate some of the challenges we currently face in American society?
What did you learn about how the law functions? What do you think should be done, and by whom, in situations where the law can’t provide adequate or complete resolution?
What are some areas of disagreement you see in your own communities — whether those are work, family, church, hobby groups, or other forums? How have you seen these disagreements divide people? Have you seen people overcome these kinds of divisions, and if so, how?
What has this book taught you about handling disagreements? Have you learned any principles that you want to employ in your life?
Given that there are some issues we’ll never all agree on, what does your ideal of American society look like? How would disagreements be handled in your ideal version? What steps can you take to bring this dream closer to reality?
Join Us in November
In November, we’ll have two opportunities for you to engage with the book club:
- 11 a.m.-noon in person, in the conference room at the ReStore Northeast, 6250 Tutt Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80923. Snacks will be provided, and you are also welcome to bring a lunch!
- 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
In honor of Veterans Day and our 5th Veterans Build home dedication Nov. 9, we’re reading The Women by Kristin Hannah. This New York Times bestselling author’s novel follows a woman who serves as a nurse in Vietnam, then returns home to a divided country, where her service is often both unacknowledged and unappreciated.
Please join us! No RSVP is necessary, but if you would like to receive reminders and discussion starters, please e-mail Monique@PikesPeakHabitat.org.
