Racial Dialogues: What Makes Them So Difficult?

Sometime between the years 2030 and 2050 Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) will become a numerical majority in society. It will become increasingly difficult for mental health professionals, and educators not to encounter clients and students who differ from them in terms of race, ethnicity and culture. Difficult dialogues on race and other sociodemographic identities (gender, sexual orientation or identity) have often served to polarize and obstruct mutual understanding rather than to clarify and increase mutual understanding. Most well intentioned people (mental health providers, educators and others) find themselves ill prepared to deal with the often-explosive race or gender related emotions that manifest themselves in interpersonal interactions and in employment and other public spaces. Poorly handled by participants (whether therapist and client, educator and student) such dialogues may result in disastrous consequences (anger, hostility, silence, complaints, misunderstandings, blockages of everyday communications and the learning process); skillfully handled they present an opportunity for growth, improved communication, and learning. Although difficult dialogues can involve any marginalized group identity, my focus in this presentation be on “race talk” or difficult racial conversations. The keynote is intended to provide insights into the meaning of what constitutes a difficult dialogue on race; increase awareness, knowledge and skills needed to converse openly and honestly on race, racism, whiteness and white privilege; and become authentic and comfortable in interracial dialogues and interactions.