May 29, 2009

Diversity and Conflict

We don't like conflict. We try to avoid it instead of learning how to engage in it appropriately and productively, and the end result of our incompetence is horrendous enough to fully reinforce our avoidance.

This is a problem.

It's particularly a problem for those of us who value cultural diversity and recognition of human equality. The easiest recipe for avoiding conflict is to allow one person or homogeneous group to define the "right side" of any disagreement. Obviously, that's not an option for us.

It's Friday, which means I'm blogging at Quiche Moraine. Today's post takes a look at some of the roots of poor conflict management in, oh, a number of the communities I'm part of.

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