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Several years ago in an effort to foster community racial harmony, the Montclair Civil Rights Commission initiated the Conversations on Race Program in Montclair. The thinking was that it would be very useful to address in a constructive manner the fact that white people and people of color in America still see race differently. For most white people, race can be – and more often than not is – an afterthought. People of color, for the most part, find that race is a major element of their everyday life. To compound the problem, each group is not perceptive of why the other group sees the issue of race as they do.
This lack of understanding is still the basis of many difficulties in our society in spite of the apparent progress that has been made in race relations over the years. Years ago, atrocities carried out by overt racists were accepted behavior that was openly endorsed or supported by our society. We have progressed to where most incidents that stimulate a response because of their racial meaning occur because of things that are done on a subconscious level influenced by racial assumptions that people unknowingly bring to everyday interactions – assumptions that have been formed from childhood in a unique way in each person’s life. Because of that, eliminating racism cannot be accomplished without understanding that the issue has taken on different levels of significance to each person and each group of people. We need to understand our own motives, the effects of our actions on others and their motives in how they interact with us. This cannot be accomplished without talking to each other – exploring others and allowing them to explore us at the level of the colorless thread that connects us all, our humanity.
To address the problem, the Commission felt that its goal of increased understanding would most likely be achieved by small group discussions in which participants are encouraged to be both honest about their own views and respectful in the presentation of those views. In small groups, people would be more likely to actually listen to and consider the viewpoints of others – rather than simply debating from previously fixed positions.
After research and investigation, the Commission identified the Study Circle Resource Center in Pomfret, Connecticut, as an organization that was developing programs similar in structure and goals to the Commission’s idea. With the assistance of the Resource Center, pilot programs were undertaken and when these proved successful, a program, Conversations on Race, was developed and launched to reach out to the entire Montclair community.
Over the past nine years, approximately 1,000 people have participated in the conversation circles. Approximately 50 civic organizations and religious congregations have joined the Commission in sponsoring the program. The “conversation circles” meet for two hours a week for at least five weeks. A neutral facilitator is present at each meeting to help foster a safe environment for honest and respectful dialogue.
While the Conversations on Race program has no specific viewpoint that it endorses and no specific “action agenda” that it seeks to accomplish, participants frequently find that they agree on actions to be taken to improve race relations in Montclair. In this sense, the program is the essence of participatory democracy, with further action determined and propelled by individual residents meeting together and determining whether a consensus can be reached.
It is the goal of the Commission that every resident of Montclair participate in the Conversations on Race Program. We urge you to register to participate in the next round of discussions by completing our Participant’s Profile form and submitting it to us. If you have questions, inquire by e-mail to
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, or by telephone to 973-509-4709, or fax 973-783-5382 |
