Page 45 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

subject of this research. Of course, they are indirectly part of the research, but only relevant in

terms of how reflections of consciousness and treatment or consideration of social issues emerge

during these gatherings. In the case of this research, the relation between topic and discussion of

the topic is more complex involving civic processes observed within the dialogue.

I would love to explore the many facets of social issues and how they are treated in a

Community Conversation engagement since I own the Social Issues .com domain and make it

available for WISR’s use. On a deeper level I’d like to reflect further on the implications of social

issues discussion or avoidance going into detail how conditioned mindsets, political affiliations,

traditions, religious influences etc. all affect and play out in dialogue. For grounded and practical

reasons having to do with condensing theories, my in the moment observations participating in

dialogue, groups available for study, ongoing conclusive follow-up and access to what data was

useable during the planning period of my research, I chose to carefully address a select variety of

topics that different dialogue groups engaged in. However, my core focus will involve an area of

historical interest to me hitting current conflict origin points, namely, I will return to my earlier

graduate study focus of identity as I feel it must be examined in the context of group dialogue. To

me, the unsung ‘elephant in the room’ unspoken or disguised are latent (race) tensions and other

hidden concerns that only become forefront when brought into group awareness by a skilled

facilitator or reflected upon as a participant experience (often relating to perceived bias or an

emotional state). This personal reveal often displays the tensions that I’ve seen triggered through

the flow of dialogue whose affect was often a catalyst for opening-up and additional sharing of

experiences that revealed significant concerns felt by the greater community. This all will be

explored in substantive detail in a later part of this chapter as I am writing.

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