"Want to talk about it?" Boston friends offer to listen to anyone who wants to talk after divisive election
BOSTON - Within 24 hours of the polls closing nationwide, both President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris made a call for unity. Two friends from Boston are trying to do their part, with a couple of lawn chairs and open ears.
"Want to talk about it?"
Ben and Alex decided to take action amid their own post-election slump Wednesday. They grabbed two sets of chairs, made two signs, and set up on the path along the pond in Jamacia Plain. For the next four hours they would sit and listen.
"My friend actually came up with the wording [of the sign], but it just says, 'Want to talk about it?'" Ben told WBZ-TV.
"It's been really powerful. I think it speaks to why we came out here. We were just thinking, people are so disconnected nowadays and part of how we've ended up so divided and so much anger and hatred is that so many people feel unseen, unheard, alone and afraid."
Ben and Alex heard from nearly three dozen people on Wednesday. At some points, there was a line.
They heard from Trump and Harris supporters looking to express their thoughts on the election. There was common ground to be found. Both men said people across the political spectrum wanted to be heard, to be validated. And it seems everyone is looking for a way forward.
"A sense of peace"
"Right now, I feel a sense of peace and a greater sense of connection," said Alex Kelly. "People have a chance, if they are willing, to reach out to each other to connect."
"Being able to connect with each other and, honestly, on a deep, human level, see and hear each other, just has to be getting us into a better place," Ben said.
Ben and Alex said they plan to return to their spot near the Jamaica Pond Boathouse on Friday afternoon for another listening session.