Respectful Conversations Project at Hamline University

Interested in learning more about Respectful Conversation Program at Hamline?

• Check back on this page for opportunities to learn about the Respectful Conversations Program at Hamline University this semester.

• Contact Chaplain Kelly at chaplain@hamline.edu 

Word Clouds

Word clouds, graphics that analyze a lot of text and present the most common words in larger fonts, can help interpret the array of responses. Bypassing the first question about referrals, what follows are clouds related to the other qualitative questions.

Thoughts on Respectful Conversations: Co Creating Community at Hamline

Written By Jessalin Dock-Barnes

Assistant to Civic Engagement Initiatives & Multi-Faith Scholar

The Respectful conversation: co-creating community at Hamline was just that, a respectful conversation. This space allowed us to practice mindfulness when listening and responding to others. Even though, at times, it felt so structured that there wasn't enough time to hear more of what people had to say and dig into deeper conversation. During this conversation, it was listening and responding to true, thought-provoking words. It opened many eyes to the multiple layers of issues between students, staff, administrators, and faculty. Being able to hear how others felt in a space where initially we wouldn't really hear each other's thoughts, concerns, and hopes in the way that was taught as we live in a room of division. The biggest takeaway from respectful conversations is that we create empathy amongst each other with the baseline understanding that we all want to fight for what's right and live in community with one another. As well as making more of an effort to bring in everybody, including the people we would not have expected to see in that room that night, to have the challenging but much-needed respectful conversation and co-create community at Hamline.

Meet our Lead Facilitators:

Respectful Conversations Project of the Minnesota Council of Churches

Respectful Conversations are structured, facilitated conversations designed not to change minds, but soften hearts. Municipalities, congregations, nonprofits, colleges, public schools and community groups throughout Minnesota have chosen to be sources of peace, cooling the heat of intense disagreements in their communities through the Respectful Conversations Project. Since 2012, more than 8,000 Minnesotans have participated in over 300 Respectful Conversations on a variety of divisive topics, including:

• The amendment defining marriage

• Community policing

• "Race" relations

• Being in community together after the divisive election

• Local impact of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians

• Guns in Minnesota

• Differences between urban and rural politicians' concerns

• Interfaith conversations about drones and violence

Our results speak for themselves: On average, 70% of participants report:

• • "I have a stronger sense of empathy for those whose viewpoint is different from my own."

Over 85% agree that:

• • As a result of this conversation I have stronger relationships with people in my community.

Over 95% agree that:

• They felt listened to

• We succeeded in providing a conversation different than a polarizing debate

• The process would be useful in other settings.

These conversations also pay off in lasting dividends. Months after their conversation experiences, people report:

• Greater awareness of their own listening attitudes,

• More curiosity about those they would previously have considered opponents

• Transformed family relationships.

Evidence of Lasting Change

We asked people months after their Respectful Conversation experience whether they had observed any lasting impact on their own behavior. Here's what they shared:

• "Because of this experience, I am more aware of my own attitude when listening to others of different opinions."

• "I have recalled the value of great - really open questions: getting rid of 'don't you think'  statements; trying to eliminate my explanations before expressing my question."

• "I have tried to carefully listen to opposing viewpoints in some conversations since then, to listen for the experiences, and often fears, that feed into some viewpoints."

• "The fact that we are having open conversations with each other is a triumph."

• "I became more aware of the importance of letting a speaker complete his/her comments before interjecting a comment or question."

• "In the weeks following the event I found myself using better listening skills."