RICHARD RADSTONE: Sidewalk Ghosts, the compassionate majority. Thursday, April 7, 2022

Richard’s openhearted interviews of strangers from around the globe open a window into the hearts and histories of both the known and unknown. Short, thoughtful, and entertaining stories for appreciating the bonds to be found within our difference, and for knowing just how much your individual influence has upon this world we share. The roots of Sidewalk Ghosts were planted in September 2011, when as my life hit a painful set of obstacles, I began blogging a series of daily essays, portraits, and videos based on my interviewing 1000s of absolute strangers. Hundreds of consecutive days that, no matter what was going on in the world, how I felt, or where I was, I journaled the hope, hurt, and wisdom shared with me by 1000s of diverse individuals. In it, a profound, timely, and far-reaching call to action was gifted to me. A premise proven as 1000s more from around the globe saw the faces of, listened to, and responded to the experiences, challenges, and stories of the absolute strangers I met. People I did not even know, who by their responding to these stories and published words of diverse strangers, stood as evidence there are many who genuinely desire to better know their neighbor. I call them the compassionate majority. A majority who appreciate the diversity of perspective and lifestyle; is objective enough to independently contribute to their communities and relationships; wise enough to look beyond race, creed, outlook, gender, age, attraction, religion; and disciplined enough to, whether in agreement or disagreement, live by a constructive code of conduct. So it is to this diverse majority of compassionate ones, I am ever grateful. For they have taught me that by opening our eyes, ears, and hearts toward one another, we can lighten burdens we might be carrying. See more clearly through ghosts that divide us, and love beyond barriers we may be facing. To find peace and focus in harnessing the best of who we are, and as we do, to more fully trust ourselves in knowing how far our individual influence can touch the world around us. Welcome to Sidewalk Ghosts, my friends.