Sustained Dialogue is Different
While there are other diversity initiatives, programs, and processes that address race relations, Sustained Dialogue is a unique process for a number of reasons.
The Focus is on Relationships. Unlike many other conflict-resolution type models, Sustained Dialogue is unique in that instead of concentrating on surface issues, it focuses on underlying human relationships. People are not negotiating the terms of a contract, but rather examining the roles they play in each other’s lives through dialogue. The dialogue has a dual focus as individuals focus on concrete grievances and issues and also search the dynamics of their relationships to identify the causes of problems and how the relationships must change before those problems may be resolved.
The 5-Stage Process. Though a seemingly simple concept, Sustained Dialogue uniquely lays out this process of changing human relationships in a specific five-stage process. These five stages are not an artificial construct but rather are based on literally hundreds of hours in nonofficial dialogue between Americans and Soviets, as well as between Israelis and Palestinians in the 1980s. The process is simply to serve as a framework in which to explore these issues, rather than a rigidly defined, unidirectional model.
It is Sustained Over Time. Unlike one-time events such as panel discussions or forums, the power of Sustained Dialogue lies in that it is an on-going process. Each meeting builds on the previous making it possible for the group to (1) develop a cumulative agenda, with questions sharpened and carried from one meeting to the next; (2) build a common body of knowledge that participants could test between meetings; and (3) learn to talk and work analytically together. Coming together with a group of 10-12 other individuals over a continued period gives time to build relationships, to better understand one another, to see real growth, and to develop a network of allies who are committed to making a change in their community.
Voluntary Participation. One of the most important aspects of Sustained Dialogue is that individuals decide to engage the process. Participants are individuals who acknowledge strained relationships within their community and are willing to work to transform them. The power of the dialogue is in the initiative of the individuals and their commitment for change.
Students Take the Initiative. Though it is important to have administrative support, the lifeline of SD is in students. There are certain things administrators can do (such as structural adjustments) and there are certain things only students can do.
The Four-Year Turn Over Rate. College campuses are a microcosm of larger society with the exception that most college careers end after four years. This turnover rate translates into a more malleable community dynamic and lends credibility to the expectation that a campus climate can be changed significantly as each outgoing class graduates and each incoming class matriculates. While society at large can often seem overwhelming, a campus provides an attackable domain for a student.
Sustained Dialogue at Princeton started out tenuously, with two groups and little diversity, but through the efforts of its members survived to prosper and win awards and substantial prestige. Thanks to their hard work, awareness of racial issues at Princeton has risen to the point where students feel comfortable discussing race in casual conversation, and most impressive of all, the organization forced a curriculum change requiring all students to take a class on race in order to graduate.
Sustained Dialogue at UVA has enjoyed a comparatively stronger start—we began with four racially diverse groups, and much interest and support besides, and we have the wisdom of the experienced people at Princeton to aid us. This makes Sustained Dialogue easily the most viable force for real improvement in race relations the University community has seen in years. We have a real chance here to change the University for the better, and we are going to take it.