American Textures gives us a road map to start the kind of dialogue that leads to genuine understanding and respect. The path is not easy. But it is clear.Mark Bauman, Executive Vice President, National Geographic TV
At a time when oversimplifying and hostile messages dominate our public discourse and polarize our societies, a Culture of Dialogue is urgently needed. But how can we speak about painful topics? How can we support our students? The social issues seem too complex and we fear saying the ‘wrong thing’.
American Textures provides the opportunity to develop communication skills that equip us for constructive dialogue by witnessing the courage of six young Americans as they interact on a trip through diverse communities in the southern United States. The honest confrontations, powerful dialogues, and growing empathy between them create vibrant doorways through which they forge deeper understanding of themselves, each other and the world they live in. These explorations become vibrant blueprints, and an invitation to follow their example by applying intercultural and conflict mediation skills to interracial dialogue.
Supporting Educational Resources
Crossing Borders Education has developed a rich set of educational resources and tools to complement American Textures and which together can help foster a Culture of Dialogue on campuses, while simultaneously upholding values of academic freedom and freedom of expression. These tools are being used to support educational leadership in developing a road map towards enhanced intercultural interactions and social skills on campus. Please contact us for more information about how Crossing Borders Education can provide intercultural tools to support your campus.
