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conducive space eliciting more positive inputs from participants creating a support structure for

society to flourish.

Context

The context dimensions were considered in the prior sections discussing the participant and

facilitator perspectives. There will be a further examination of context in the next chapter.

Conditions

Additionally, the core dimension of safety emerged as a major contributor to the overall

success of the dialogue group process when linked with the two previously discussed and

complementary conditions of the dialogue circle and the video or experiential exercise.

Promoting candid conversation. Essential to any dialogue and particularly hosting a

Community Conversation on a starter topic educating about “Implicit Bias” as the theme evolved

to important climax as police and community race relations officials from the city tried to establish

an environment in which participants could speak frankly and openly to officials and to members

of the group about current or past experiences (some were ‘harassment involved’). Candid

dialogue is the product of participants who are willing to share openly their experiences and

facilitators who carefully hold the space such that voices are heard and concerns attended in a way

the supports the individual and collective needs of participants.

“It was the only time where I have had transparent conversations with any other people of

color in this City. Because in the workplace there is a guardedness and carefulness about

how people interact and what they say especially if you want to keep your job” (P04MW)

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