The Neutrality Trap - Bernard S. Mayer

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and predatory capitalism. Our response as a society to these problems has by and large been too little, too slow, and too performative. If we don't blame the victims (which we often do), we focus on individual perpetrators, not on the systemic problems. We look for quick, facile solutions, a nice and neat end to the “conflict,” so that we can move on as quickly as possible.

      In this book, we look at what it takes for a system to change in meaningful ways—what is required to dig deeply enough and act decisively enough to make a genuine difference on the most embedded, serious problems we face. We do so by looking at the lessons we have learned at the intersection of our work as conflict interveners and social activists. In both roles, we have dealt with intractable conflicts and systemic problems. In both, we have worked at the intersection of individual actions, interpersonal relationships, and enduring conflicts that have been with us for years, even centuries. These problems will not simply disappear by reaching an agreement or enacting a new policy. As important as improved relationships, resolved conflicts, and good policies are, they are not the same as changing systems embedded in values, identity, power, and privilege.

      Disruption too is just part of the process of change. Effective social movements need to develop their capacity to participate in constructive engagement efforts as they continue to challenge the power structures that maintain systems of oppression. When and how to connect across our differences is an ongoing challenge because the energy and tactics necessary to disrupt systems can be at odds with the requirements for effective dialogue. How activists manage the tension between these two elements of the change process is a defining feature of how movements evolve and the success or failure of their efforts. Exploring how to navigate this practical challenge is a central theme of this book.

      Another dynamic tension that social movements must be sensitive to is the difference between what we refer to as chaotic disruption and strategic disruption. Chaotic disruption—for example, when mass protests erupted after George Floyd's murder, the spontaneous demonstrations that led to the “Arab Spring,” and the Stonewall riots in 1969—are essential to social change efforts because they mobilize support, attract a great deal of attention, and force reactions from those in power. But chaotic disruption is hard to sustain and difficult to keep clearly focused on the systemic nature of the problems they confront. Strategic disruption—for example, the ongoing actions of the civil rights, anti‐nuclear, and environmental movements—keep the pressure on for systems change over time. They can go hand in hand with the building of sustainable organizational structures necessary for long‐term efforts. But without the potential for chaotic disruption from time to time, their power is more easily circumscribed and even neutralized.

      Of particular importance to us are the concepts and strategies that appear relevant to both the conflict engagement and the social change efforts we have been part of. We were determined not to fall into the neutrality trap. We believe that raising difficult issues and escalating conflict is necessary to understand our world and to bring about change. We do not hesitate to share our points of view, our values, and our commitments throughout this book. We think this increases the authenticity and value of what we have to say, but we also recognize that for some, this openness about our beliefs may call into question our credibility. We don't agree with that but appreciate that this will be easier to read for those already committed to anti‐racist, anti‐colonialist, pro‐environment, and pro‐egalitarian points of view. We hope others will find it stimulating and valuable as well.

      Jackie has long been concerned about racism, colonialism, and misogyny. In her book Experiencing Puerto Rican Citizenship and Cultural Nationalism, she discusses how Puerto Ricans experience and resist colonialism as they forge their national identity at the margin of the United States. Jackie has also written about how structures of oppression operate in the healthcare system and ways to create counter‐narratives to transform (or dismantle) institutional and structural injustices. Jackie came to conflict work with a strong background as a healthcare administrator and a lawyer focusing on employment discrimination, civil rights, family law, and healthcare law. Her views have also been shaped by her experiences of being raised in Puerto Rico—a US colony—and countless conversations at the dinner table with her mother, who was a psychiatrist.

      In all our work as professionals, trainers, teachers, and scholars, we have both been committed to being reflective practitioners. Our ideas are informed by our studies but are nurtured and tested in the cauldron of our practice experience, both as activists and interveners. This book is part of that conversation and will hopefully help others examine their own thinking, experiences, and practice in response.

      The two of us were colleagues for 15 years as faculty members of the Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Program at Creighton University (positions we have both now moved on from). At Creighton, we were allies in efforts to build an educational program that was attentive to long‐term conflict engagement and system change and not just to transactional processes concerned with short‐term solutions to enduring problems.

      Even though our partnership brings some diversity of ethnicity, age, gender, nationality, language of origin, professional training, and religious upbringing, for example, there are many elements of diversity we do not offer. We are both light‐skinned, straight, cisgender, middle‐aged or older, and from relatively privileged backgrounds (we explore this in Скачать книгу