During the election campaign, I knocked on doors and spoke with people across Richmond. I heard concerns about children, schools, safety, and the future of our city. People often shared similar hopes, even when they disagreed about what needed to change.

Those conversations reminded me how much we miss when we judge someone before hearing their story. A slogan, a political label, or a cultural background cannot tell us everything about a person’s experiences or concerns.

Listening takes patience and humility. Sometimes it means staying with a conversation that makes us uncomfortable. Sometimes it means asking another question before offering an answer—or admitting that we have something to learn. We can disagree and still take one another seriously.

Dialogue also carries responsibilities. We need to check facts, challenge unfair claims, and speak honestly about harm. Respecting someone’s dignity means offering the same fairness we hope to receive, while remaining clear about our convictions.

Finding common ground takes effort. We may begin with a shared concern for our children, a desire to feel safe, or a hope that everyone can live with dignity. These starting points can help us work through disagreements and identify practical steps together.

I want to keep making room for these conversations—in coffee shops, at community gatherings, and in everyday encounters. When we listen with curiosity and speak with respect, we give understanding a chance to grow. That is how I hope to help build a more connected Richmond.

在競選期間，我走訪列治文不同的社區，逐戶敲門，與居民交談。我聽到大家對孩子、學校、安全，以及城市未來的關注。即使對於需要作出甚麼改變，大家有不同看法，心中的期盼往往有不少共通之處。

這些對話提醒我，若在聽到一個人的故事之前就下判斷，我們會錯過很多值得理解的事情。一句口號、一個政治標籤，或一個人的文化背景，都不足以讓我們了解他的經歷和關注。

聆聽需要耐心，也需要謙卑。有時，我們要願意繼續一段令自己感到不自在的對話；有時，要在回答之前多問一句，甚至承認自己還有需要學習的地方。即使意見不同，我們仍然可以認真看待彼此。

對話也伴隨著責任。我們需要核實事實、質疑不公平的指控，並坦誠面對言行所造成的傷害。尊重別人的尊嚴，就是以自己期望得到的公平態度對待對方，同時清楚表達自己的信念。

尋找共同點需要用心。我們可以從對孩子的關心、對安全生活的期盼，或對人人都能活得有尊嚴的願望開始。這些共同點能幫助我們面對分歧，一起找出可行的下一步。

我希望繼續為這樣的對話創造空間，無論是在咖啡店、社區聚會，還是日常相遇的時刻。當我們帶著求知的心聆聽，以尊重的態度表達，就讓彼此了解有機會加深。我希望透過這份努力，為建立一個人與人更緊密連結的列治文出一分力。