As a society, we have spent enormous amounts of time engaged in bitter conflicts, hostile debates, and adversarial exchanges over racism and policing, sexism and sexual harassment, homophobia and gay marriage, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, immigration and border walls, poverty and homelessness, trans athletes and gendered bathrooms, America First and global warming, Civil War statues and teaching about slavery, accusations and denials of bias, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, and similar issues. 

We have not resolved any of these disputes, or convinced each other, or even discussed them intelligently, but ended up instead screaming at one another, clashing violently, and being prepared to manipulate, and even jettison the entire democratic process if it doesn’t back the candidates and policies we support. 

As a result, we have become deeply divided, hostile, suspicious, and less able to work together to solve pressing common problems.  Yet we are inextricably bound together, not only in neighborhoods and communities, language and citizenship, but by our common humanity, and a growing range of worries that threaten our survival and require our cooperation. 

Moreover, every conflict is about diversity – sometimes regarding race, gender, class, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, culture, etc. – and sometimes about ideas, beliefs, experiences, values, positions, personalities, systems, and environments.   

Mediation therefore requires a developed set of principles and techniques for addressing prejudice, bias, stereotyping, and antagonistic responses to diversity not only individually, but relationally and systemically.  It requires ways of thinking about the sources of prejudice, reducing their impact on communications and relationships, and celebrating differences. 

SCMA Sustaining Members: No Charge

SCMA Members: $39.00

Non-Members: $69.00

This event is sponsored by Best Conflict Solutions