Steal This Idea and Make the World A Better Place

“BeFriend” — a location-based series of Meetups that builds bridges across barriers and reinforces our common humanity.

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So, picture this:

Two (or more) people are sitting at a public cafe, drinking coffee or tea or wine or whatever. They are chatting about things…hobbies, books, movies or personal experiences. There’s a paper table tent that says: “BeFriend: Philadelphia. Celebrating our Common Humanity” and a QR code that links to a page where you can join the Meetup group behind this social event.

The people chatting are from groups that are often at each other’s throats—Jews and Palestinians; Islamic Pakistanis and Hindu Indians; and other groups that are “traditionally” hostile to each other. Yes, the problems and grievances are real—but under the umbrella of “BeFriend,” they recognize their common humanity and the good that exists within and, now, between each other.

It’s a proud, amiable, defiant group of people who refuse to perpetuate animosity and hatred and violence and cruelty that’s gone on for far too long. These are the people waging peace. These are the “powerless and ordinary” people who will change the world. These are the people who provide the only sane alternative to the ongoing…