Intergenerational Forum was a lesson in respectful problem solving

Last Tuesday evening over 100 people attended the first ever Intergenerational Forum on Daniel Island, graciously hosted by Bishop England High School. The brainchild of island resident Fred Danziger, sponsored by The Daniel Island News, and embraced by local high schools around the lowcountry, a group of five senior citizens and five high school seniors addressed important issues facing our country, our world and humanity.

A complete review of the discussions is published in this week’s paper, beginning on the centerfold. However, the biggest take away for me was not the presentation of the issues and the proposed solutions, although they were indeed enlightening. Rather, the highlight of the evening was the respectful way in which the generations interacted, listened, and responded to one another. It was refreshing and inspiring, in this presidential election season marked by vilification of differing opinions and candidate rudeness during debates, to see respectful and thoughtful presentations and responses to important issues.

High school senior Reid Cobb hit it on the mark when he noted the biggest thing he learned from the forum experience was, “We need to look not only to our friends, but to those who may disagree with us for solutions.”

Solutions to important issues facing our country, our world, and humanity need not be “either-or” propositions. Compromise is not a bad word. Respectful collaboration solves problems. Thank you seniors of both generations for reminding us of this.