"The conversation began in Fairview, Tennessee, but I want it to move across America. Whether you consider yourself liberal or conservative, the FAIRVIEW project is for you if you believe, as I do, that establishing a reasonable discourse across ideological lines is both possible and important."
Sara Sharpe LaMance
FAIRVIEW: An American Conversation
The FAIRVIEW project seeks to catalyze a dialogue between liberal America and conservative America about the issues affecting our country's future. In the spirit of democracy envisioned by our founding fathers, it calls the citizens of this country out of passive apathy and into active engagement with the "other side." FAIRVIEW will offer no answers. Instead, the purpose is to challenge those who live in a world of black and white, good and evil, right and wrong, us and them. In its current state, FAIRVIEW is a three-part documentary/docudrama, and is a perfect jumping off point for educators from high schools to universities, activist groups, religious organizations, and even business training workshops. The episodes address the following issues: The Death Penalty, Immigration, Race Relations.
"Sharing our stories, speaking from the heart and hearing each other is essential for us to reweave the fabric of our national community. The Fairview Project is a beautiful collection of stories, which sets the project apart and draws people in in a way that's non threatening. Once we start sharing our stories in a deep way in a safe place, anything is possible..."
Joan Blades, Co-founder of MoveOn.org,
MomsRising.org and LivingRoom Conversations
"Never before have I experienced a body of work that better captures the voice of my people and their stories.... Our segment crafted a realistic dialogue about the issues that once divided us with the hope of understanding, so that all mankind can forge a bridge toward a truly united future.”
Bret Wilson FAIRVIEW (narrator, Race piece
"I am a conservative that prays for a stronger Independent party. I have many friends on both sides of the issues and we often have passionate conversations, agreeing in some areas, disagreeing in others. But like you, I believe most people want to live in harmony as they pursue happiness and seek justice for all peoples. Our world is a beautiful and diverse place which adds to the profound differences in all of us!"
Marie D
MORE ABOUT FAIRVIEW
"This is a powerful and moving way to test and challenge us in our deepest beliefs on some big topics of our time. We can't know ourselves thoroughly, as individuals or as a country, unless we talk through tough issues, and this is a safe, structured, healthy way to do it."
Pulitzer Prize Winner and bestselling author David Shipler
"My sense is that what we need is a national 12 step program... A place in every community where we can go to let go of old resentments and judgments. Safe, authentic political conversation spaces like those created by the Fairview project, are where I have found the greatest progress in healing my old political wounds."
Joseph McCormick
Co-founder of Reuniting America and Transpartisan Alliance
"I very much agree with what I take to be the thrust of the project. Be glad to help if I can. If it's of any help, the attitude among the people you are addressing is close to a historical universal..."
Noam Chomsky Re: FAIRVIEW (RE: the War piece
For information about Sara's current work aimed at reaching across the political divide,
please visit THE LETTERS PROJECT