Civic Dialogue Series Invites Discussion of Controversial Topics across Campus and Community

It has been widely observed that discourse on the college campus has become increasingly characterized by imbalances, reactivity, polarizations, or aggression. Classrooms, dorm rooms, and social media avenues often leave participants with a choice between polemic debate and absolute silence on issues of supreme personal and civic interest. Overall, these disheartening trends in conversation discourage growth and connection and leave our campus unable to respond swiftly, respectfully, and collectively to issues of universal community concern. Our recognition of this growing problem at William and Mary and other institutions inspired research into a civic dialogue series, where we could offer a new framework: an opportunity to speak candidly about our views and the experiences that have shaped them as well as to listen empathetically to those with differing ideas.

Our approach led us to the work of the Public Conversations Project (PCP), a nonprofit nonpartisan group that works to provide dialogue facilitation and coaching in an effort to reduce polarization while deepening trust and collaboration. The rationale of PCP’s dialogue dynamics take a relationship-centered approach, drawing from the models of family therapy practice, mediation, and organization development. Their reflective and structured dialogues operate under the belief that conversations are at the heart of the human relationships that shape communities. When conversations shift, so do the relationships and communities around them

This semester, with the inspiration of the PCP model to guide us, The W&M Office of Community Engagement began hosting a series of dinner conversations centered on topics of community importance. The goal of the evening is not consensus, but rather open conversation about beliefs, confusions, and ambivalence for the purpose of understanding multiple perspectives.

Over the course of the semester, OCE has been reaching out to students, staff, and faculty as well as local residents and alums who welcome a safe space to share perspectives, learn alongside people with different viewpoints, and reflect on their own views in fresh ways. We have sought to design diverse collectives who are not often invited to discussions or considered ‘experts’ on subjects of community.

Our first dinner dialogue addressed the nature of the relationship between William and Mary and the surrounding communities. The feedback following the event was overwhelmingly positive. One Williamsburg resident wrote, “I enjoyed the opportunity to hear and listen deeply to other people's experiences and I was happy to hear different perspectives – not a normal part of my week.” Another students said, “I found that no matter where I go or who I talk to, varied opinions and experiences add to my own values and experiences by understanding that I am not alone. Worries, fears, excitement and outlook for future opportunities are all available to me from another person’s point of view.” Next week, we are thrilled to welcome ten new students, faculty, staff, and Williamsburg residents to a dinner table to discuss what it means to feel safe in one’s own community.

People have often asked what we want to “get out of” holding these dialogues and are surprised when we have no rigid action-oriented goals for the series. For now, we are wholly focused on the immeasurable potential of shifting small interactions, starting new conversations, and building respectful connection one dinner at a time!

That being said, we fully expect that our structure, application, and goals for this project will shift as the program evolves with our campus’s needs and we welcome those organic changes. As we move from the goal of pioneering new ideas to institutionalizing constructive dialogue in our community, we ask of you: What conversations need to change in your community? Where could that shift start and what would it look like for your school?