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Published Sun, Jul 25, 2010 02:00 AM
Modified Sat, Jul 24, 2010 11:12 PM

Talk and understanding

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Tags: news | opinion - mailbag

As a professor of conflict management, I am saddened by the current school board/community conflict. We need to create an opportunity for productive communication.

One of the characteristics of intractable conflict is that parties no longer focus on the issue that started the conflict. In this case, the issue is public school zoning. The underlying interests for everyone involved are the same: the best possible education for our children and reducing the amount of time any child spends on a bus or other transport to/from school.

Sadly, this conflict has escalated to the point where we do not focus on these common interests, instead assuming the worst about each other. Neither side is willing to acknowledge that the other has legitimate interests; and dialogue has been impossible.

While the existing process of participation has not been productive, there are experts who could facilitate a dialogue where the goal is understanding rather than a power struggle to prove who is right. I hope that someone will step in and ensure this happens, or this threatens to irreparably damage our community.

Jessica Jameson,

Raleigh

The writer is an associate professor of communication at N.C. State University.

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