Page 396 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

observer of the last two sessions it was through extensive interviews with participants and

facilitators from each CC session that made clear that the continuity of the dialogue conversation

allowed the group to evolve in perspective. Throughout the three active dialogue sessions, the

carefully monitored process of the Community Conversations created an environment for

attendees to share, listen, contribute authentic stories, take part in experiential exercises and

witness tension, conflict, and disagreement. Over the course of the dialogue sessions, the

conversations went from focusing on bias, discrimination and racial injustices carried out against

dialogue attendees as well as their family and friends to identifying local actions and projects that

might be implemented by the group, specifically ways to help African American youth in the local

community seek employment and other opportunities through partnerships with other community-

based organizations. While the interview data does not indicate any changes from the first

Community Conversation session (as there was no group dialogue exchange that happened) it’s

from the second to the final fourth session, where my field notes and informal observations of

changes seem to come ‘alive’ as described within my research reporting using the Metasphere

model that supports the observation that a shift happened. Sustaining the Community Conversation

spirit over the time between the second to last CC dialogues promoted an engendering of

relationships that became concentrated among concerned groups of local citizens and stakeholders.

Hicks’ (2011) model of dignity provides further understanding about the quality of

interactions among the dialogue participants. Honoring the dignity of an individual is essential to

building and maintaining relationships among individuals. Hicks, through her research, concluded

that dignity is critical to building, repairing, and maintaining relationships, chiefly in situations

when conflict is present. Extending dignity is a baseline courtesy that compels one individual to

treat another with good regard, care, and attention; further noting that “at the everyday level, the

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