Adriana Allegri of Chandler on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Adriana Allegri. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Adriana, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I had the most wonderful time in October in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I was one of three authors invited by Society of the Arts (SOTA) to two events that benefited the Allentown Art Museum. I got to meet readers who enjoyed The Sunflower House and hear about the writing journeys of other authors. It was a joy to meet readers, listen to their stories, and share a love of books and art.

I also had the chance to see the house my grandfather, Paolo, lived in. He came to the U.S. in 1913 and was settled in Allentown by 1930, but moved back to Italy in 1931 when work dried up in the silk mills. His house was only a mile away from the two SOTA events, so seeing it was a full circle moment for me.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an author, and my debut, The Sunflower House, was a 25-year journey and dream. It’s been well received by both critics and readers and is currently being translated and released in 13 different countries, so the experience has a been a joy.

My novel is the story of Allina, a young woman in Nazi Germany, who must hide her Jewish identity when she’s forced to work at Hochland Home — a state-run ‘baby factory’ created to perpetuate the so-called ‘master race.’ While serving as a nurse there, she fights to save herself and the children in her care who are suffering from extreme neglect.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In general, I think a lack of empathy breaks bonds between people. This happens when we think we’re superior and they’re inferior, often based on things like religion, skin color, sexual orientation, culture, or economic status, among others. We lose our humanity when that happens. We stop seeing people as people and instead see them as “other.” This is a recipe for disaster. History has shown us, time and time again, what happens when we strip others of their dignity and rights, when we refuse to see their basic humanity.

Restoring the bonds between people begins by working on empathy and compassion – on seeing each human being as a unique and equal life on the planet. That can take effort, especially for those who have been raised in a culture of fear or hatred. Sometimes it’s as simple as having a conversation over coffee, or sitting down over a meal with people who are different from us. I know when I’ve done that, when I’ve had open and honest discussions, I’ve realized very quickly that I have much in common with the people on the other side of the table.

We all have the same basic needs and desires. We want our families to be safe, to have shelter and enough food for our children, to have an opportunity to live freely and in peace. By recognizing that others want that, too, and by looking for ways to work with others instead of against them, we can restore the bond and our own humanity as well. It comes down to seeing people as people. For me, the mantra is always: “I don’t want to suffer, so I don’t want anyone else to suffer, even someone who might appear to be my enemy.” That might seem impractical to some, but I think it’s the only way forward. The human race has tried to live the other way – divided and in constant combat. If we’re going to thrive as a species, we must do better.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of not being good enough — that I have to be ready, or better, or perfect, to have value. I’ve let that go (finally!) because I’ve learned that waiting until I’m ready, or good enough, or perfect, means holding back and never getting anything done. Better to be bold and fail than to wait and never try.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe there’s much more good than evil in the world. There’s also much more love than hate in the world. If you watch a lot of television or pay too much attention to social media, you likely won’t see that — you’ll see doom and a whole lot of anger. (When I spend time in my community I see people helping each other, advocating for each other – a good reminder to get out in the world!)

I think anger and hate generally scream. Angry people, people who spread hatred and prejudice, are good at making their views known and doing so loudly. You see their views splashed across the screen in the both traditional media, since hate- and fear-based messaging gets more clicks and/or advertising dollars. That’s one thing I constantly remind myself of — if there’s money involved, those who scream the loudest and sensationalize tend to get the most attention.

There’s certainly reason to be concerned and angry, and sometimes reason to despair, as much can be improved in the world. We can’t turn a blind eye to injustice when it happens. But I think it’s more important to ACT than to sit with our outrage, or wallow in despair because we think we can’t make a difference. We need to act in positive ways.

Love often seems quieter because it’s rooted in peace. Love is also busy DOING — taking care of people, feeding people, resisting injustice and prejudice by taking positive action. Perhaps those who love need to be louder at doing so or better at self-promotion.

I try to spend my time and resources on helping where I can. I also try to spend my energy on what I want, and not what I don’t want. For example, I’ll attend a pro-peace rally much more enthusiastically than I will an anti-war rally. When I attend a protest, my signs are always statements of what I want and what I believe.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I’m most at peace early in the morning and when I’m in nature, particularly by the sea, and either writing or reading a good book! My favorite travel spot is always by the water.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://adriana-allegri.com
• Instagram: adrianaallegri
• Twitter: adrianaallegri
• Facebook: adriana.writes
• Other: adrianaallegri on threads