Page 308 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

“I think it was because of the tone that had already been set by the video. That their [African

Americans’] reasons for their feelings were valid. It wasn’t their imagination that they had

been left out of things, that it wasn’t them that had been singled out as a bad credit risk and

were not able to borrow money for a business or to buy a house. Those things might be

embarrassing to share and you wouldn’t share it. But after the video and you realize that it

wasn’t your fault, then I think that people felt more willing to share because of that. I think

that it set up a sympathetic climate.” (P04FW)

“European cultures denoted “what’s white” and what’s Black.” Also then, you can see how

racism kind of developed because it was, racism was really kind of about being dominant

or holding power against another group who doesn’t hold power and then you see that

broken down into every aspect of life.” (P06FAA)

“It [the video] wasn’t eye opening, but it was refreshing to see that there was something

available to see how minorities were treated when it comes to housing and jobs and so forth

during those years, so that was encouraging. That kind of made my evening.” (P10MTRM)

As a tool for starting conversation among deliberative dialogue group participants, the

videos were effective at bringing to the surface feelings of pain, hurt, anger, sadness, and other

emotional reactions the participants felt. It was my observation that in some ways viewing Race:

The power of an illusion had an affirming and empowering effect for African-American

participants in attendance that allowed for an outpouring of real-life encounters.

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