“The purpose [of this meeting] is to start a conversation,” explained Payne. “What people think about and how we spend our time determine what we know.”

 

Payne proceeded to describe some behaviors and causes that contribute to the division between class and race, through prevailing mind sets, and hidden rules. “At the micro level relationships are formed, and these relationships are how communities impact one another,” she said.  Payne said that in order to develop and mend relationships between classes we must first understand the rules that every class has, learn how to navigate those rules, then have an open dialogue about what is needed at the lower level and, finally, make sure that those who are in poverty are included at the table.

 

“Money gets you out of survival mode but it doesn’t change thinking. Change comes through education, employment and social bridging with people who are different than you,” Payne said.

 

She also described the social mechanisms that contribute to the separation of people. “Money and class divide in a variety of ways and can determine how people think and react,” Payne said.

“Poverty requires people to be reactive, non verbal and more aware of a person’s intentions.

And poor people may have prevalent concerns about child care, food, health issues, the criminal justice system and the agencies that they must deal with in order to survive.  While upper classes, who are more familiar with dealing with institutions, are more verbal, think more abstractly and are more proactive. Abstract thinking operates under assumptions that others feel or see things the way that we do.” Payne said.

 

She stated that even discrepancies between the middle class and the wealthy can cause alienation between these groups. “Middle class concerns might be clubs, retirement, vacation and personal achievements. While the privileged spend their time thinking about accountants, their media and political connections, and corporate boards and directors.”

 

These differences can inhibit classes from interacting and forming relationships through what Payne describes as the “hidden rules” of a social group. “If you are middle class and at a party and don’t introduce yourself you would probably be considered rude,” said Payne. “If you were at a party full of wealthy people and you walk up to someone and introduce yourself they may turn and walk away. Why? The wealthy don’t need to introduce themselves someone else will.  And when someone wealthy introduces others to the group it is usually by name and association.”

 

Payne said that these rules are made by the dominate culture, or whoever has the most money, and power. And although these rules can forge chasms between classes, Payne says that hidden rules are not all bad if everyone knows and understands them.

 

Forum panelist Crystal Harris talked about ways in which an individual can use these unspoken mores as an advantage. “Basketball and football have hidden rules. You can’t use basketball rules to win at football,” said Harris, director of the Youth Opportunity Program at YMCA/JCC of Toledo.  “Learn the rules that will help you to navigate through that system and allow you to win.”

 

Also included in the evenings discussion was an invitation to the audience for participation in the  “Dialogue to Change” community small group sessions that take place throughout northwest Ohio. According to the group’s mission statement these small groups will help facilitate a vision for change through weekly meetings that include sharing personal stories about racism, and then seeking solutions.

 

Dave Murray, managing editor at the Blade, one of the sponsors of the “Race in Toledo” forums, spoke about how he became involved in a “Dialogue to Change” group. “After the gang series in May, community leaders collectively asked me to come out and speak to groups. I wanted to talk about the gangs, but they wanted to talk about racism,” Murray said. “Reverend Robert Culp asked me if I would speak to John Robinson Block about sponsoring a forum. He agreed and that first forum was held in July. I went in thinking that these forums would make The Blade a better newspaper, but instead it changed me.”

 

Murray who grew up in the all white community of Haskins, Ohio, said “Initially, I wasn’t comfortable talking about race. I was appalled and shocked by what I learned.” He described how getting to know the people in his Dialogue Group opened his eyes to the lives of minorities. “I would hear stories about racism, I knew all of the statistics, but it wasn’t until I took the time to really listen to what it’s like to be black in Toledo-in America, that my eyes were opened. I began to know more black people on a personal level and those stories became important to me.”

 

The evening ended with the panel of community leaders sharing their own stories, taking questions from the audience, and offering some final thoughts on how to ease tensions in the community, and forge relationships between race and class: “Don’t be judgmental, reach out to others, and get involved.”

 

“I grew up in poverty. This is not just a job, but it is my passion. I know what it’s like to feel hopeless, and invisible,” Crystal Harris said.  There is something that everybody can do to make life better for someone else.”

 

 

Ruby Payne said “I congratulate this community for working on it. In 20 years you’ll be thriving.”

 

For more information about the Dialogue for Change group meetings contact Stephen MacDonald at 419-725-7186 or go to smacdonald@nwoca.net

 

For more information about the next “Race in Toledo” forum” contact The Blade at 419-724-6000