Observations from the FieldDIALOGUE ACROSS RACE

13 Challenges for Facilitators of Race Dialogues1. Defining racism

2. Dispelling the myth of biology

3. Dispelling the myth of “the choir”

4. Interpretations of anger and emotion

5. Voices that monopolize to control

6. Allowing time for the evolutionary process of learning

7. Personal dialogue history: Ah ah! to Oh, no...

8. Avoiding racial polarization

9. Group size and composition

10. Lived experiences and objective data

11. Race-less identity: “I’m just an American.”

12. Teach me: “Just show me how not to sound racist!”

13. Your story of triumph is my memory of shame

Interpretations of Anger and Emotion

ChallengeExpressions of anger and strong emotion are often interpreted to be threatening or inappropriate across race.

ResponseAcknowledge that expressions of anger and emotion are culturally determined and will vary within the dialogue group. Invite conversation: In your culture, what is an acceptable expression of anger/emotion?

Race Dialogue: From Ah ha! to Oh, no...

ChallengeOftentimes, dialogue participants will have a wide variety of personal experiences with cross-racial dialogue. Some participants may find it new, intellectually challenging and personally liberating.

Others may experience race dialogue as a frustrating rehash of painful, old conversations that required great personal vulnerability but resulted in little meaningful change.

ResponseAcknowledge these differing experiences openly at the start of the dialogue program and ask participants to be aware of these differing emotions. Talk without action is disheartening and it compromises trust.

At the close of the dialogue, invite participants to reflect on what they’ve learned AND how they intend to embed their learning within their own behaviors, assumptions and decisions. How will you apply this to your life?