Page 425 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

this gives rise to the confidence, autonomy and insight to act collectively together to improve the

quality of life for everyone. For practitioners, this calls for an analysis of power, the generation of

theory in action, and the organization of collective action from neighborhood to global levels with

the purpose of creating inclusive communities in a more inclusive world.

Margaret Ledwith (2012) writes that social divisions are greater than ever, both within and

between countries, as neoliberal globalization extends its reach, beaming a free market principle

based on a profit imperative across the world. At the same time, she sees community development's

commitment to social change is being distracted under a smokescreen of managerialism, as our

transformative concepts become diluted and our practice becomes embedded in policy as improved

service delivery. Meanwhile the world faces escalating humanitarian and environmental crises.

Evolving Community Conversations offers the hope and optimism that we can easily and readily

reclaim our radical potential if we identify the spaces for creating critical dissent dialogue as a

basis for vigilant practice for a fair and just democracy, a world built on respect for all people and

the earth itself.

As I reflect back on this graduate project and the Albany study I can see that the actions

taken by the conveners of that Community Conversation series on implicit bias and race amounts

to an act of civic ‘mindfulness’ based on a desire for wellness among the members of a city to

function as a community. Their investment of time and the understanding produced during the

dialogues on core crucial social issues of race and racism resulted from a sustained effort and

careful formation of safe gathering spaces for attendees to engage in authentic sharing. Sustained

dialogue and a commitment by a small group dedicated to civic enlightenment afforded members

of the local community of diverse backgrounds and upbringings a place to confront stories of

racism and ethnic stereotypes in face-to-face meaning making and dialogue. It can be said again

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