Expanding the Circle

We began our last class with a Circle.  The Circle gives us opportunity to practice the ways of peace with one another.
--Everyone is respected
--Everyone gets a chance to talk without interruption
--Everyone has a chance to be heard
--Participants explain ourselves by telling our own stories
--Everyone is equal; no one person is more important than anyone else
--Values and principles are  celebrated
--Dialogue and learning are fostered
--Differences are explored rather than conquered
--Everyone is accountable to one another and to the process
In response to a prompt, each of us shared thoughts and reflections on the impact of the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, the community's demonstrations and calls for justice, and subsequent rioting  that was then covered extensively by the news media.  There were a number of responses and thoughts shared, questions raised.We listened carefully to one another.  A number of the earlier reflections focused on the riots seen on tv; over time, there was more attention given to Mr. Gray, the pain of the community, the need for healing of relationships and careful listening to the stories of people who have not been heard; the establishment of new history not bound by the repeated patterns of the past, in Baltimore and throughout our country. The people of Sandtown and other neighborhoods in Baltimore, families, those protesting, the police, and members of the wider community were humanized.  Attention was also drawn to the plight of people in Nepal after the earthquake there and the need for engaged, compassionate response,
One of our class members had been in Baltimore last week and had witnessed a large, nonviolent demonstration that articulated the pain and grief of the community assertively, calling for justice without responding to violence with violence. It was enlightening to have this first-person account of a response to tragedy that predated any violence and further destruction.  As we listened to each other, we pondered important issues and needs in-- hopefully--a broader and more mutual sense.
As we went on to explore what role we might have in addressing the issues and processes of healing in Baltimore and throughout our society, we went back to our fruitful discussion from two weeks ago about peacemaking in the manner of Jesus.  We recalled the points that the working groups in the class had brought forth:

Learning
Listening
Being honest
Practicing Forgiveness
Being Generous and Other-Centered
Joining with people where they are
Sharing not only food but a better way of living
Interrupt violence, violent patterns

We added:
Leadership
Accountability
Compassion
Not being judgmental

It was suggested that churches could take the lead in providing space for dialogue and listening.
Faith communities can model engagement, inclusion, accountability, desire for truth to be told and heard, willingness to learn and to be part of the change we would want to see in establishing a more just society.
What would you add?