Living Room Revolution: The Race Dialogues

A FILM BY KATE MAYER + MARY WEBB

A short documentary. An insightful glimpse of a diverse group of people involved in dialogues about race. 

Stereotypes disappear, people converse on a deep level, become close, and amidst the controversy, sometimes fall into laughter. Includes interviews with some of the participants. 
 
Our hope with this documentary is to inspire other people around the country to start race dialogue groups in their own living rooms.

History of the Dialogues from Mary Webb

I saw the film "Long Night's Journey Into Day" (directed by Frances Reid and Deborah Hoffmann) about the South African Peace and Reconciliation Commission. I thought, we were picketing them, and now they seem more advanced than we are.

People (including Bill Clinton) were saying that we in America needed to talk about race. So, I thought, I have an apartment. I know some people, I could start a dialogue. What's the worst that could happen?

I've had four a year since 2000. We've never had more than 40 or fewer than 25 people. What's it done? 

It's expanded people's awareness of the problems of racism and made people understand other people's experience in an intimate way. You don't know what life is like for other people unless they tell you.

Several people have started their own groups. Someone started an Armenian / Turkish reconciliation group that's ongoing today. Another person began a group against racism in Iowa. And someone was inspired to walk across the country for peace.

What could a dialogue do for you?

You can become part of the conversation by holding your own living room revolution event.