Hi, Chris! I agree with you about trust. 1000%. And if the relationships/encounters do not go well they can actually make matters worse. Some people come away with negative confirmations. But, under the right conditions, and developed in the right ways, these relationships are powerful to not only reduce prejudice but to build trust. There are studies that show that anxiety and even stress hormones can decline with these friendships if done properly. This is still a tough piece for me. Perhaps because I went to an extreme to make an easy and obvious point. But I did see it as urgent, easy to avoid, and highly effective. Since writing this piece, I’ve started reading the book Uncommon Bonds about interracial friendships between women. And, I read about and watched footage of Daryl Davis, a Black man who by friendship has led 200 klansmen to leave the klan. Then there’s a documentary called White Right: Meeting the Enemy where a journalist of color by friendship/respect leads hate group members to quit. These are extremes, yes, but they are doing something very right and effective. The research shows these basics can work for the everyday person. Thanks for reading and your comment.
