Page 328 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

“I think for me the outcome was getting the community engaged in a dialogue process,

which I think happened. I think that the other outcome was to maybe initiate some new

initiatives around community health and wellbeing and coming together across differences

and kind of examining where things were in the community in terms of maybe some of the

educational experiences; the differences that come along with those experiences and kind

of talking about how that had impacted the community.” (F02FW)

“There was a broad sweeping “yes, let’s have more of these.” They are healthy and

encouraging and certain people wanted more.” (F05FAA)

“I certainly believe that civic engagement and dialogue is the most important business of

the day. So that’s where I am at. I believe that it has everything to do with good community

mental health.” (F05FAA)

Bridging the racial divide is a health and wellness issue for African Americans and Whites.

Civic and deliberative dialogue creates safe spaces where healing can take place through honest

and open exchanges.

Conditions

Co-constructing safety. An essential aspect of the dialogues was creating an environment

in which participants not only understood the qualities of civic and deliberative dialogue, but also

were free enough to engage in open, candid conversation. The facilitators described the importance

of safety:

“We began with the introduction. There was discussion around safety and, uh, how the

group wanted to be together. There was some discussion around dialogue and its distinctive

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