I voted 'undecided' at the last second because MSNBC just had one, and if what I have to go by today is any indication, it didn't help the people who needed it.

Don't confuse that with WANTING a discussion, though. I'm just not sure the people who need to talk about race will ever listen in a group setting.

I guess I'm having a glass-half-empty day. :(

So sorry to hear it didn't go well. If there's an online video of it, I'd love to see it. Jon Stewart made fun of it, but I think some people got the point:

to this Daily Show link with Larry Wilmore.


Our monthly dialogues have trained facilitators who are African American and we have a potluck and lots of material to work with. Here is a link to some of our race discussion resoures.

Please don't give up hope.

Edited at 2008-05-20 03:32 am (UTC)

I'm not interested in a "national" conversation, because I don't think it will work. There's a lot of people who won't change.

I'm interested in a conversation where I live, with people with whom I have a relationship.

Yes, that is what's meant. You cannot have a dialogue with the nation and "the nation" cannot have a dialogue with you. Everyone across the nation has to have a dialogue with their neighbors or people who live in their city or county. I happen to live in an integrated community, so it's easier to have a more meaningful discussion. Putting it out on the internet like this tells leaders that there is interest if it indeed exists. Of course, you don't have to wait for leaders, you can be the leader that starts one in your area.

Where do you live?