Page 311 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

experienced and processed by the group. When discussing topics of implicit bias and race- tension

and disagreement seems inevitable. The tension and disagreement generated during dialogues can

be a necessary element and often an unavoidable aspect of bridging the social divide. Tension and

challenges stemming from disagreement and statements that produce discomfort can lead to

greater depth, probing, disclosure, and unpacking of belief systems, feelings, stereotypes, and

misunderstandings (Koch, 1996; Van Til, 2011). Civic dialogue can foster conversations that

interrogate long held beliefs through respectful confrontation. The findings are consistent with

Walsh (2007), who noted that by letting conflict and disagreement into the dialogue participants

had the opportunity to undergo intense exchanges that went beyond superficial talk resulting in

new awareness. Deliberative dialogue is also effective in promoting dialogue that correct

stereotypes and labeling of African-American woman [and men] with assertive verbal styles as

sassy or militant; or the use of a voice that is not quiet or whisper-like tone and infused with

authority as being bossy or brash; or voicing valid complaints or concerns labeled as having an

"attitude problem” (Wilcox & McCray, 2005).

Through the process of coding and the emerging dimensions, I identified and explored two

types of tension similar to identifying the two types of bias that were being lectured about, explicit

and implicit. Further, I found that tensions during the dialogue exchange, and between members

of the group, generally resulted from ‘3D’ expressions of dissent, disagreement and/or discomfort.

Explicit tensions emerged when participants verbalized feelings and opinions during the

dialogue in the form of a declaration, as a question or in response to something said by another

participant. One or more members of the group frequently offset explicit tensions with challenging

requests for clarification or with disagreement. There were three (D) primary explicit tensions

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