Barbara Sliter wrote, I am wondering if anyone has used something similar in dealing with racial issues? or with community police issues?
Barbara, My only experience with a talking circle that directly dealt with racial issues was in a diverse community that was holding a fundraising auction. There was a controversy over whether to serve alcohol at this event. Native American people in the community were strongly opposed, and a vocal group of non-Indian people were very upset about this. It took a three-hour talking circle with about 40 people to reach resolution. It worked; the resolution was based on a much-deepened understanding across racial lines, in both directions. I believe that a talking circle is a powerful process for such issues...and that opening the space, and holding it, is a heavy-duty, if mostly silent, piece of work. Chris
