Conflict Mediation

The more we text and email and blog, you'd think we'd get closer to being fantastic communicators.  However, I swear, the opposite is true.  And I'm not talking about the now-familiar "text speak" abbreviations!  Typed conversations are just lacking somehow.  Without the tone of voice and the facial expressions, it's so hard to tell how a statement is meant!  Is he angry, or did he hit the caps lock button by mistake?  Is she demanding a meeting, or begging for one?  Was that a suggestion for a get-together, or just a way of saying "See you sometime in the indefinite future?"  I don't know about you, but I get so frustrated!  I end up having to have the same conversation over again by phone or face-to-face, to straighten out misunderstandings!

Are you familiar with conflict mediation?  It is a process of helping two or more people finding peace in a conflict.  Notice, I did not say helping them SOLVE the conflict.  Sometimes people have to "agree to disagree."  But a mediation is helpful for getting the disputants to sit down together and really hear each other out. 

Watch this brief, funny, informative Youtube video, and then respond to the rest of this blog.  You may want to open a new tab before navigating to Youtube, so you can get back to this journal easily.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEWYf0pbO54&feature=related

Obviously, this process might be helpful for two individuals with a fairly small issue, even if they have very short tempers.  Consider other levels of conflict:  Two individuals with a serious problem ("You were flirting with my guy/girl.")? Two neighbors who have a long-standing feud ("Your dog keeps digging in my yard.")?  Two groups on opposing sides of a community decision (Do we close the library to save money, or keep it open and make other sacrifices?")?  Two countries (The border problem between Mexico and USA)?  Multi-country conflicts (The war)?  

Think about the rules that the boys in the video abided by:
     * Each side gets to tell their story without being interrupted.
     * No name calling or physical contact.
     * No foul language
     * Each side has to agree to work toward a solution.
     * Asking questions is encouraged by both sides and by the mediator.


Imagine you are President Obama, and you are in a mediation with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto about the drug violence at the border.  Which of the rules from our list would you want to have in place, to ensure a workable solution?  Are there others you would want to suggest?  Who might be a mediator for this issue?  

How could a mediation change the outlook for the Greasers?  Which rules might they have the most trouble with?  How likely are the Soc's to agree to participate?