What is Deep Dialogue? Deep Dialogue is a series of 4 guided dialogues about why/how race and ethnicity have and do impact our abilities to understand and communicate with each other about our daily lives and our histories. Click here for more information about the project.
How will we “dialogue”? Each week, you are invited to join us to read the work of a minority poet through a contemplative reading process in which we read 1 or 2 poems out loud and are guided to respond to what we hear, feel, and think about what the poet has said. Click here for details about the Lectio Divina process.
Who will lead the dialogues? Maria Hamilton Abegunde and Patsy Rahn, poets and long-time members of the Writers Guild, the Bloomington community, and Indiana University will lead the dialogues. On selected days, a quest facilitators and or scholar from the panel will join us. Click here for more information about the facilitators.
What if I don’t know anything about poetry, the poet, or what they are writing about? Previous knowledge or familiarity with the topic, poetry, or poet is not necessary. In fact, you will have an opportunity to attend a panel discussion about how poetry can help us understand race, ethnicity, and history. In addition, at each dialogue we will begin by talking about the poet, the history, and the process. If you register for one of the dialogues, we recommend that you also attend the panel discussion.
If I participate, what do I get? At each workshop, up to 25 people will receive a book of poems by the poet we are reading for that dialogue. In addition, you will have access to our Facebook page where we will post additional resources about our topic, the authors, and related events in Bloomington and Indianapolis (e.g., short videos, poems, interviews). More than this, however, you will have the opportunity to meet and dialogue with fellow members of the Bloomington community who want to think deeply about this topic and how to help Bloomington be a safe and civil – beloved – community for everyone no matter who they are.
Can I attend all of the dialogues? Yes! And, we hope that you do. Please note: depending on demand, we may be able to offer you a book for only one of the dialogues to ensure that everyone receives at least one book. However, you may attend as many dialogues as you wish. You are not required to attend each dialogue. However, we recommend that you attend the panel discussion.
How much does this cost? There is $0 cost to you. Thanks to the generous support of the Indiana Humanities, the National Endowment of the Humanities, and the Writers Guild of Bloomington, AND ????? (check DEMA form) we are able to provide the dialogues, books, and spaces at no cost. Click here to learn more about the Indiana Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Writers Guild of Bloomington.
What information will you collect? In addition to the information you provide on the registration form (e.g., name, email, allergies, special needs), all participants will be asked to complete an evaluation of the program at the end of the panel, each dialogue, and the final event. We will use this information to evaluate the project and will share this with the Indiana Humanities in our final report.
Will you take photographs? Yes, we will take photographs at the panel and final event to share on our Facebook page and to document the event for the Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. IF you do not want your photograph taken, please indicate this when you complete the registration form.
Will you video tape Deep Dialogue? We will video tape the panel discussion and sections of the final gathering. However, due to the sensitive topic and intimate nature of the process, we will not videotape other events.
What will happen after Deep Dialogue? We won’t know the answer to this until all the participants meet on October 14.
How can I share this information with others? People may check us out at our Facebook page: If you or someone you know are interested in participating, please contact us at our Facebook page:
Thank you so much for your interest. We look forward to seeing you at one of the dialogues!