Dogged Dialogue for One America

An honest conversation about race. Some people say that is an oxymoron. It is certainly darned difficult, as anybody who has persevered must have discovered. But, according to a recent study by The Center For Living Democracy, even before the launching of President Clinton's much publicized Initiative on Race, 'in diverse communities nationwide, thousands of citizens had already initiated interracial dialogues'.

Though widely attacked and little understood, the strength of the president's initiative 'is its doggedness in tackling issues that a lot of people would rather tiptoe around', commented The Oregonian . In fact, the White House has been flooded with inquiries from people eager to get involved.

To provide tools to help all those who have responded to this call for honest conversation, the President's Initiative and the Community Relations Service of the Justice Department called in representatives of six national organizations - The National Conference, National Days of Dialogue, National Multicultural Institute, Study Circles Resource Center, the YWCA, and Hope in the Cities. Each has a track record of successful multi-racial dialogues. Out of their collaboration has come a 40-page dialogue guide, One America in the 21st Century, which has been shipped to college campuses across the country where dialogues are taking place.

In letters to Rob Corcoran and Paige Chargois, national coordinators of Hope in the Cities, the director of the Community Relations Service, Rose M Ochi, writes, 'The final product has surpassed even our highest expectations.' Thanking them for their input, she continues, 'With your continued commitment, the little ripple that has been created will turn into a tidal wave of positive change. Talking will be the first step towards action.'

Those who worked together on the guide over the last few months report an astonishing lack of 'turfism' in their deliberations. At the end of their time each person shared what it had meant to them. One talked of the relief of being in an environment where you didn't have to be careful what you said. Another said that she had previously felt 'out there alone' but had found strength through new partners. Staff members were surprised at the lack of egoism. Paige Chargois, a Baptist minister, was asked to lead them in prayer. She says, 'All have a right to hold on to their own perspective but all had the real goal of offering something to the nation.'

In an introduction to the guide President Clinton writes, 'Over the coming decades, our country's ethnic and racial diversity will continue to expand dramatically. Will those differences divide us, or will they be our greatest strength? The answer depends on what we are willing to do together.'

Judith Winston, Executive Director of the Initiative, writes, 'We cannot underestimate the power of dialogues. When people can explore perspectives and ideas, they discover how much they share in common and learn to appreciate their differences. Dialogue is an opportunity for growth and change. Dialogue can help open our minds. Dialogues* can help each of us listen better. And dialogue can bring us closer together.'

Effective dialogues, the guide says, have specific characteristics. These include a willingness to move towards solutions and personal responsibility rather than continuing to express blame. Dialogues should reach beyond the usual boundaries and involve all sectors of the community. A respectful sharing of local racial history, it says, can lead to healing. Finally, such dialogues aim for a change of heart not just a change of mind. They move from personal transformation to institutional change.

The guide has helpful pointers to let that happen, ranging from defining the difference between dialogue and debate; giving examples of racial reconciliation from across the nation; to practical tips on getting started.

Copies of 'One America Dialogue' are available from the President's Initiative on Race, The New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, USA. (Tel: +1 202 395-1010.)