Reflections on the Possibilities and Limitations of Dialogue

​On the one year anniversary of the “Unite the Right” rally and protests in Charlottesville, Virginia held in 2017, we revisit the reflections of our board colleagues, Derek Brown and Jeff Seul.  Derek offered his reflections on the events in the community that he calls home. Jeff offered his thoughts on the challenging question of whether dialogue was a sufficient mechanism for social change, following the rallies held in Boston the weekend following Charlottesville's events.  

Reflections from our Hometown
by Derek Brown

On a Friday evening last August, my wife and I attended a standing room only ecumenical service at St. Paul’s Memorial Church here in Charlottesville, which was organized in response to the “Unite the Right” rally scheduled for the following day.  The rally, as most in this country now know, involved dozens of self-identified white nationalists, white supremacists and neo-Nazis, including the National Socialist Movement, Vanguard America, Identity Europa..                                                                           continued

Is Dialogue Enough
by Jeff Seul

We received many appreciative reactions to Derek Brown’s August 28th reflections on recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, his family’s home.  A few people also questioned whether dialogue is sufficient for promoting change in polarized societies.  What about the role of organized protest, advocacy before legislatures and executive agencies, and even litigation?  Can dialogue really contribute to positive change?
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