Dialogue and Action Must Go Hand in Hand

By Luther Jackson (Class X / Urbanism XXXIV)
 
I had an “aha” and an “oops” moment when reading Demone Carter’s thoughtful blog post this month entitled “It’s Time to Move Beyond Dialogue.”
I have been a proponent of dialogue since attending a two-day ALF training 15 or so years ago. Since then I have had the pleasure of partnering with Greg Ranstrom and Greg Papadopoulos in co-leading “dialogue day” classes for ALF fellows.
But Demone’s blog made me realize that I have been guilty of poor messaging around the nature and value of dialogue. Regarding dialogue, I have heretofore focused on the process – or the road – as opposed to the outcome – or destination.
So let me be clear. The reason to invest in dialogue is to promote social innovation. That’s the ultimate destination. I have no interest in talking for the sake of talk.
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I agree with Demone that the multiple challenges we face in our region and in our nation call for expeditious and committed action. The gentrification challenges raised by the Google village development in San Jose underscore this urgency.
But some challenges are so momentous and complex that the solutions demand new approaches, new partners and fresh perspectives. Solution seekers in the dialogue process must have the courage to be uncomfortable, to explore differing viewpoints and to be open to questioning deeply held personal beliefs.
I love what Santa Clara County supervisor Cindy Chavez (ALF Class XII) said about ALF’s role in the successful adoption of Measure A – the $950 million housing bond approved by a two-thirds margin in 2016.
“Places like ALF allow people to get to know each other well enough to have thoughtful arguments that create incredible outcomes for our community. Every opportunity we have to get to know people who are not like us gives us an opportunity to do miraculous things,” she said. The Measure A campaign and vote “was miraculous. It was hard work but it was also miraculous.”
In discussing the diverse movement that created the Network for a Safer San Jose, Health Trust CEO Michele Lew (ALF Class XXI) said: “Dialogue is not the end in itself. Dialogue is a means toward building trusting relationships, building openness and making San Jose a safer place.”
I believe that ALF is the right organization at the right time to lead the movement for miraculous social innovation through dialogue in Silicon Valley.
Luther Jackson is a program manager at NOVA Workforce Development where he leads multiple initiatives creating accessible educational and career pathways and provides creative solutions to help workers and employers understand and navigate a fluid economy driven by rampant technological advances and globalization.