Page 415 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

I believe while in the Metasphere of the Albany New York event, the value of having and

experiencing an ‘I’ aware experience with other participants of dialogue in a true “Community

Conversation” was achieved as the energy and synergy could be felt, there was flow and

engagement which almost at times seemed transcendent of circumstances and perceived divides

(racial, political, economic, etc) as people within their genuine context were able to relate with

each other perhaps for the first time. With thousands of pages of literature reviewed I have yet to

find research on whats described here.

Learning how to heal and narrow the racial divide using deliberative dialogue requires

practice by doing. As the commitment increases among individuals of diverse backgrounds to

discuss issues of race and racism our collective hesitance to engage in the work will be aided by a

better awareness about discussing the difficult and sensitive topics that many feel need addressing.

Tension and disagreement during deliberative dialogues on race and racism is unavoidable.

Conflict, in the form of tension and disagreement is necessary to foster shifts in perspective and

the possibility for new understandings. Cultivating an environment of safety within deliberative

dialogue groups encourages authenticity of sharing and a depth of sharing of views and opinions

that are acceptable and unacceptable in “mixed company.”

A commitment to repeat participation in deliberative dialogue discussions is a function of

feeling safe in the dialogue group, regardless of how tense the conversation becomes. Additionally,

spacing successive dialogues over a series of meetings and change of venue allowed space for

contemplation and reflection about what was said, what was heard, and whats not mentioned. The

periods of reflection generated questions and created opportunities for self-interrogation.

Sustained deliberative dialogue present an opportunity to mitigate conflict and disagreement with

the assistance of skilled facilitators and a supportive group of dialogue attendees, thereby we can

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