Resolving Conflict Without Violence, Wednesday First Period [Week 6]

[retired_hero]

"During most of our time together, I've been the one supplying the topics which we've shaped our discussions around. And I hope that that's been useful to you all. After all, it is often the case that the most difficult questions we find ourselves faced with come from other people."

Anne smiled wryly. "After all, our own brains tend to try to protect us from things we don't want to deal with, so they're often quite unreliable when it comes to difficult but important questions."

"But resolving conflicts without needing to resort to violence is often as much about asking the right questions as it is about being comfortable in difficult conversations. So today, that is what we're going to practice: asking questions."

"Once again, I'm going to want you to find a partner to work with, but rather than me providing you with a topic, I want you to take turns initiating conversation with a question. Your goal is, by the end of this class period, each of you should have learned one thing you could do for the other that would meaningfully improve their life."

Anne lifted a hand in a vague gesture. "I'll leave 'meaningful' up to your personal judgments, but I do encourage you to go a little deeper than that they could totally go for a pizza right now. And remember: your first question may only lead you to another question. Keep digging until you feel like you've gotten an answer that really satisfies you."

Comments

Re: Interrogate

[somethingwithturquoise]

And, with a reaction like that, Summer instantly found another kindred spirit. Anyone who could appreciate tiny horses like that was alright by her, easily. A grin blossomed on Summer's face, all but vibrating with the excitement that horse-talk was bound to cause.

"I would give it to my friend Peridot, because I told her that if I ever found one, I would give it to her. Do you know Peridot? She's a Gem, very smol, perfect miniature horse size, works at the library?"

Re: Interrogate

[cracksmostly]

"No, I don't," Merrill said, a little bit sadly. "Is she very sparkly then?"

She sounded enthralled by that idea too

Re: Interrogate

[somethingwithturquoise]

"After Arts & Crafts class, she is," Summer said wryly. They all were. "But normally, no, not really. Just mostly green, which, while not my favorite color, she wears very well."

And, since Summer was still a little confused about the assignment, and wasn't sure if they were supposed to just bandy questions back and forth, she added, "Do you have a favorite color?"

Re: Interrogate

[cracksmostly]

"Do I have to pick just one favorite?" Merrill actually sounded kind of distressed about it. "I don't want to hurt yellow's feelings because I decided green was prettier that day, but... I do like green. And blue. I can have at least two, that's all right, isn't it?"

She was also confused about the assignment, but she got confused about a lot of things.

Re: Interrogate

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Oh," Summer said with an emphatic nod, "totally. I mean, mine's pink, obviously," hello, endless pink tank tops!, "but sometimes, you're just, like, not in a pink mood. So I'll have a lot of temporary favorites, when pink needs a break. Variety is the spice of life, right?"

There was a slight pause. "Would you consider establishing that it's okay to have two favorite colors something meaningful?"

She was trying to stay on task.

Re: Interrogate

[cracksmostly]

". . . I don't see why not," Merrill said, after blinking rapidly six times and frowning off into the distance for three seconds after that. "I don't think it's reasonable to expect people to stick to one of anything if they don't want to. People change their minds about things, or sometimes they don't want to have to choose, or -- or -- well, would you say that's all right, too?

Re: Interrogate

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Absolutly," said Summer smartly. "AND that," said with a slight glance toward Ms. MAyer to see if she'd notice how organically she was working things back around to the class subject in a general , "could be applied to conflicks, too, I think. It's okay, when in a conflict, to realize you have changed your mind or feel differently. I fact, maybe it will help. Or make it worse, but hopefully now."