Final New PA Call - June 5, 2009

Facilitating Difficult Conversations and Situations in a Facing History Context

In a typical Facing History and Ourselves workshop or seminar one can expect that at some point the group will encounter a difficult, complex, or controversial issue that can potentially lead to conflict and stifle healthy dialogue. Even after thoughtful contracting these difficult situations are nearly inevitable. Conflict in groups is a normal part of the group process. Disagreements and differing points of view have the potential to add important information, broaden the perspectives of the group, and serve as a positive contribution to the work. Although the outcome may be positive, there will be some stress and discomfort. Typically concerns and disagreements will arise in one of the following areas: 1) the process the group is using, 2) the content being discussed, or 3) the people (personalities) involved in the discussion. A skilled facilitator must be able to navigate each scenario.

Scenario 3.Conflict among the people involved in the discussion.

During a discussion on the legacies of race, a younger participant states that we have come a long way and that his generation is tired of talking about the past. He cites Barack Obama’s presidency as proof of progress. An older participant states that although things are better, we have a long way to go, pointing to the fact that institutional racism still exists, citing the criminal justice system as an example. The two go on for several minutes. You are concerned that the conversation is taking the session off track.

What is challenging about this scenario?

What's challenging is that it is a natural inclination to want to jump in and take sides OR to insert one's own personal POV (like the fact that I agree with the older participant). It's also a challenge in the since that you don't want to de-value the youth/younger voice in favor of the older one just because it's the voice of an older person - this promotes a generation gap.

How would you respond as the facilitator?

I would hope first of all that I wouldn't allow the comments to go on more than 5 minutes, but if I did I'd have to first thank them for their active/authentic engagement in the discussion, but I'd have to also pull everyone back in by reminding them of:

• the contract we set up on the first day (to respectly agree to disagree, how to have conversations about race, etc)
  
• the fact that we have (or can have) a "parking lot of ideas for further discussion" where we can write these kinds of issues
• the existence of FH resources to aid them in these kinds of controversial conversations with their students, like those in R&M or videos like, Ethnic Notions or Race: the Power of an Illusion
  

One thing I would like to hold onto from this year is the relationship I've built with the cohort. It has been a pleasure getting to know KC, Susan, Mark and Tanya!