April 7, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
The Hingham Unity Council’s popular “Tastes of the World/Voices That Inspire” speaker series “for the intellectually and gastronomically curious” brings the community together while sharing a delicious meal and listening to inspiring speakers.
The first two events were sold out, and the same is true for the May 1 Amanda Ripley talk, which is the last in the series.
“Tastes of the World/Voices That Inspire” — designed to “spark curiosity, conversation, and connection” — offers an opportunity to learn about diverse cultures and to deepen one’s understanding of the world and our community.
Ripley is a New York Times bestselling author, a Washington Post contributing columnist, and the co-founder of Good Conflict — a media and training company that helps people reimagine conflict.
Her book “High Conflict — Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out” addresses the question, ” How do good people lose their minds in soul-crushing conflicts with co-workers, neighbors, grown siblings, or even national politicians they’ve never met?”
In her book, Ripley reveals — through the stories of half a dozen conflict survivors in three countries — how humans can help one another break out of destructive feuds and generate healthy, useful conflict instead.
Enlightening and fascinating conversation
What is expected to be an enlightening and fascinating conversation with Ripley will also include a delicious Latino dinner catered by Boston’s Merengue Restaurant. The event will take place in Hale Fellowship Hall at Hingham Congregational Church.
Dan Osborn’s thought-provoking and eye-opening “Exploring the Middle East” talk last February — and in March, Kim Anthony’s compelling “A Story of Resilience and Triumph” talk about her journey growing up in poverty to becoming the first Black woman to win an NCAA gymnastics title while breaking barriers in the process — captured and held the audience’s attention.
The HUC believes in “the power of stories to unite us” and that hearing from diverse voices and backgrounds “is not just a way to learn about others; it’s a way to see ourselves in the world and build understanding.”
The concept of breaking bread to build community is age old. “The Dalai Lama is known to have joked that the solution for world peace is ‘more picnics,'” Katie Sutton — a founding member and member of the HUC board — told the Hingham Anchor. “There is something so humanizing about sharing a meal together. Simple, relaxed gatherings can better foster connection and empathy.”
Coming together to explore new topics
So-called “third spaces,” where folks “can come together and explore new topics, build community, and exercise their curiosity muscles are not as common as they may once have been, and I think they are even harder to find in suburban settings like Hingham,” Sutton explained. “The HUC is thrilled to be able to offer these opportunities, that all three events sold out, and particularly, that so many of those who have attended so far were new faces — some of whom had never heard of the HUC prior to this series.”
The dinner series is made possible thanks to the support of State Representative Joan Meschino, who helped secure funding for this program.
Looking ahead, the HUC is co-sponsoring a METCO Family Art Day with local artist Robyn Thompson Duong on May 17 to foster connections between Hingham METCO students and families and their Hingham resident counterparts.
The HUC will also sponsor a Juneteenth celebration at the Hingham Harbor bandstand for the fifth year, featuring activities for kids, a bounce house, a beer garden, food , artisan vendors, and live musical and dance performances, among other activities.
“This year‘s event is sponsored by the South Shore Unity Council, so we’re working with other communities to plan it and hoping to welcome members of those communities as our guests as well,” Sutton said.
Go to www.hinghamunity.org for more information about HUC and upcoming events.
