Page 378 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

A second form of tension observed during the dialogue resulted from comments made and

exchanged between dialogue group members. As with any civic dialogue, the comments made

around the dialogue circle reflected the degree of candor that the speaker felt comfortable with,

and unless comments probed or contested, take on meanings that are filtered through the

perceptions of the listener.

“He really liked talking about the science of race I guess. He was really convinced that you

know, race is this genetic disposition we all have. He, he ah. It was my perception and I

may be completely making this up in my head because I didn’t ask him directly.

But it kind of seemed to me that he kept talking about how he thought that “mixed

people were beautiful”. And I kept wondering to myself that was like a veil to kind of a

make … well from what my perception was, his racism, to make it be Okay. I was trying

really hard to focus on the fact that his views were just as valid and just as pertinent to the

discussion as anyone else in the room. But I had to keep coming back to that. I had to keep

reminding myself of that because it just was not sitting well with me. And, I mean I even

remember turning to you and saying this is making me really uncomfortable.” (P12FW)

“People need to understand this. You can kill somebody with kindness. Not really kill them

but kill the meanness in them. You have to be kind if you want someone to feel what you

are feeling. That is not going to happen with that big brick wall built between the two. You

have to be kind and show them that there is nothing to be defensive about. Then they will

feel it.” (P16MW)

“He kept talking about that it would be good when finally everyone was interbred because

nature smiles on the hybrid. And he was talking about children of interracial marriage

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