Anne Mayer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
retired_hero) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2017-05-30 10:09 pm
retired_hero) wrote in fandomhigh2017-05-30 10:09 pm
Entry tags:
Resolving Conflict Without Violence, Wednesday First Period [Week 4]
"Welcome back." Anne's usual smile was, perhaps, a little bit brighter than usual.
"We've spent our three weeks of class so far discussing a very specific non-violent approach to resolving conflicts: discussion. We've sought to hone our conversational skills, to improve our ability to examine our own positions, and others'. And while that will continue to be one of our primary focuses as we move forward, today we're going to discuss another tactic that's worth having in your arsenal."
She turned, writing on the board, and then stepping away with a flourish to reveal what she'd written. "Leave," she recited as she turned back to the class. "Sometimes this will be simple. In many situations, you can simply turn and walk away from whatever conflict crops up. Sometimes it will be more complicated. You may be in a location that precludes that option, such as an elevator."
Anne's smile slipped just a bit, dipping toward melancholy before recovering. "Sometimes you will find it difficult to leave because of your convictions. Because you can't simply walk away from a particular discussion even if it isn't violent. Or you may find yourself in conflict with someone who matters too much to you for you to simply walk away."
"So, before you can employ this particular technique, it's going to be important to recognize what situations you can use it in, and what situations you can't. And, as usual, the answer to that question is going to be different for each of you."
"So, today, let's take that as our topic of discussion: what sorts of situations do you feel comfortable walking away from? And, in such situations, what can change that makes you feel like you have to stay?"
"For myself, family is almost impossible to walk away from. I did do it once because I thought everyone would be better off that way, but in the end I regretted that decision. So, what about each of you?"
"We've spent our three weeks of class so far discussing a very specific non-violent approach to resolving conflicts: discussion. We've sought to hone our conversational skills, to improve our ability to examine our own positions, and others'. And while that will continue to be one of our primary focuses as we move forward, today we're going to discuss another tactic that's worth having in your arsenal."
She turned, writing on the board, and then stepping away with a flourish to reveal what she'd written. "Leave," she recited as she turned back to the class. "Sometimes this will be simple. In many situations, you can simply turn and walk away from whatever conflict crops up. Sometimes it will be more complicated. You may be in a location that precludes that option, such as an elevator."
Anne's smile slipped just a bit, dipping toward melancholy before recovering. "Sometimes you will find it difficult to leave because of your convictions. Because you can't simply walk away from a particular discussion even if it isn't violent. Or you may find yourself in conflict with someone who matters too much to you for you to simply walk away."
"So, before you can employ this particular technique, it's going to be important to recognize what situations you can use it in, and what situations you can't. And, as usual, the answer to that question is going to be different for each of you."
"So, today, let's take that as our topic of discussion: what sorts of situations do you feel comfortable walking away from? And, in such situations, what can change that makes you feel like you have to stay?"
"For myself, family is almost impossible to walk away from. I did do it once because I thought everyone would be better off that way, but in the end I regretted that decision. So, what about each of you?"
Listen to Anne talk about today's topic
Re: Listen to Anne talk about today's topic