Racial Conflict: An Opportunity to Stretch and Decide Naomi White | naomi1@uakron.edu Professor of Instruction | School of Social Work February 26, 2019 Racial Conflict: An Opportunity to Stretch and Decide

Racial conflict is an opportunity to ask really tough questions about self, others, the world and the type of future desired. What if we changed the narrative, paused, pointed fingers at self, and made a conscious decision to stretch and change? What if I stretched and made a decision that begins with me?

Reference Bazirake, J. B. (2016). An empathetic approach to race-based conflicts. Peace Review: A Journal of Social Justice, 28(4), 459-465. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402659.2016.1237103

Empathetic Approach the crucial component of conflict occurs as a result of clashes in strategies that are intended to meet needs.

Empathetic Approach Modeled around the seminal works of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg (1934-2015) on Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

Empathetic Approach to Race Conflicts potential exist for effective responses to challenge social inequalities, injustices, and streams of violence, racial conflict -response mechanisms- aimed at meeting “Needs.”

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Step #1 identify behaviors and/or actions that trigger emerging reactions, without preconceived notions and judgment of the original actions. Clear Observation To identify observations as triggers, rather than causes of the feelings that may arise.

NVC Observations – move away from the influence of preconceptions and evaluations | Race-based conflict Substantially assist in reducing potential for conflict

NVC Step #2 Clear Observation identification and recognition of feelings, and in this case, feelings that surface in incidences within which racial conflict occurs. Clear Observation feelings are considered as vital involuntary sets of emotions that are triggered by an observable (series of) action(s) or thoughts.

NVC “Feelings, according to the empathic approach, ought to therefore be received as a “gift” in the sense that they are reliable indicators of what is important to individuals and groups of people: their needs” (Bazirake, 2016, p. 463).

Two categories Step #3 feelings as legitimate feedback prompts Unmet needs Needs met Draw attention to: Step #3 feelings as legitimate feedback prompts indicates importance to the individual & demands their attention

Clear. Positive. Doable. Present-oriented NVC Step #4 Racial conflicts must be challenged. Clear. Positive. Doable. Present-oriented To come up with strategies, individual, group, or structural levels, the knowledge of the needs to be addressed is vital

Negotiate Meet underlying needs Demands of what should or should not be done Building strategies that support understanding Build commonality of purpose

Racial conflict is an opportunity to ask really tough questions about self, others, the world and the type of future desired. OBSERVE What if we changed the narrative, paused, pointed fingers at self, and made a conscious decision to stretch and change? EXAMINE THE UNDERLYING NEED What if I stretched and made a decision that begins with me? ATTEMPT TO MEET UNDERLYING NEED BY ASKING QUESTIONS… BELOW THE ICEBERG What if?

I Stretch What if?

Questions