Intergroup Dialogue Project

What is the Intergroup Dialogue Project?
Intergroup Dialogue is intended to be a supportive space in which participants (and facilitators) can come to a clearer understanding of their relationship to structures of oppression. The facilitators work with the understanding that each individual is conscripted, or socialized, into their particular role within the system of oppression. This system, supporting “power over” relationships, privileges some, (agents), victimizes others, (targets), and manipulates everybody into upholding and perpetuating structures of oppression. Every person operates out of having internalized the role assigned to them.

Intergroup Dialogue is meant to be a space in which each participant can begin to separate themselves from their roles, empowering them to know themselves outside of their conscription. It is also intended to be a space in which each participant can work towards being aware enough of their socialization to transform their relationship to the structure of oppression, thereby transforming the structure itself. Intergroup Dialogue is meant to empower participants towards the creation of a more just world in which people choose their own path in life rather than unknowingly behaving according to their assigned roles.

Intergroup Dialogue at Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College started training students to facilitate intergroup dialogues in the residence halls in January 2001. This program continued in a variety of formats through the spring of 2004. The program went through a rebirth in the fall of 2006 when 6 brave facilitators were trained.  In spring 2007, they conducted their first peer-led dialogues and additional facilitators were trained and will be added to the current facilitator team to keep the program going. We will offer a dialogue facilitator training course during Fall 2009.  That training course will be offered Wednesdays, from 4-6:30 pm starting on September 23rd.  In order to train to be a facilitator, you must be available at that time.  The dialogue groups that will be offered during Fall 2009 will be dialogues on race/class, religion/belief, ability, and sexual orientation.  There will be an intragroup dialogue offered for women of color and multiracial identified students.

Race/Class Intergroup Dialogue
Explore individual identity and group membership, issues of commonalities, differences, conflicts and ways of working together with and across racial and social class differences. Other intersecting identities (race, gender, class, etc.) will be included in the dialogue.

Women of Color / Multiracial Intragroup Dialogue
Explore individual racial identity and group membership while exploring bell hooks' book, Sisters of the Yam.  Though the book was originally written for black women, this dialogue will be an opportunity for women of color from all racial groups (African American/Black, Asian/Asian American, South Asian, Latina/Chicana, Native American) and multiracial, biracial and/or mixed race identified women to sit in a small group and reflect together about the impact of race and racism on identity intersections.  Issues of commonalities, differences, conflicts and ways of working together with and across racial differences will be explored. Other intersecting identities (sexual orientaiton, gender, class, etc.) will be included in the dialogue.

GLBT/Heterosexual Sexual Orientation Dialogue
Explore and examine the range of sexual orientations through selected readings and dialogue with other students.  Dialogue will address the complexity of sexual orientation that incorporates social, cultural, institutional and political factors.  Dialogue and activities will increase participants self-awareness and understanding as well as provide an increased awareness of the impact of sexual orientation in daily life.  Other intersecting identities (race, gender,   class, etc.) will be included in the dialogue.

Ability Intergroup Dialogue
Explore and examine the range of ability identities through selected readings and dialogue with other students.  Dialogue will address the complexity of an ability identity that incorporates social, cultural, institutional and political factors.  Dialogue and activities will increase participant’s self-awareness and understanding as well as provide an increased awareness of the impact of ability identity in daily life.  Other intersecting identities (race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) will be included in the dialogue.

Interfaith / Religion Dialogue
Explore and examine the range of religious or faith identities and belief systems through selected readings and dialogue with other students.  Dialogue will address the complexity of belief that incorporates social, cultural, institutional and political factors.  Specific attention will be paid to religious oppression and Christian hegemony.  Dialogue and activities will increase participants self-awareness and understanding as well as provide an increased awareness of the impact of belief identities in daily life.  Other intersecting identities (race, gender, class, etc.) will be included in the dialogue.

Get involved today by completing an application! Please fill out a Participant Questionnaire (due Friday, September 18). 

Dialogues will begin the week of September 21 and run for 8 weeks until the week of November 16.