Jacqueline Font-Guzman Discusses The Neutrality Trap in Beyond the Dialogue Speaker Series

Dispute resolution scholar, Jacqueline Font-Guzman, served as the first presenter in the Straus Institute’s Beyond the Dialogue Speaker Series, which highlights faculty whose scholarly contributions advance diversity and equity-based solutions through ADR practices. Profesor Font-Guzman teaches in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, where she serves as its inaugural Executive Director in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

On February 22, Professor Font-Guzman presented her new book, The Neutrality Trap: Disrupting and Connecting for Social Change, which she co-authored with Bernard Mayer. The idea of the book was conceived following the racial justice movements in Summer 2020 when it became clear that the concept of neutrality may impede justice-based efforts. The book provides strategies on constructive engagement for mediators and facilitators that would like their institutions to be more inclusive and responsive on DEI-related issues. Straus students and faculty joined the online program and listened intently to Professor Font-Guzman as she shared insights on the idea of neutrality, the creation of a safe and respectful campus climate, and the challenges faced by “disrupters” and administrators. She shared that conflict resolution strategies of storytelling and facilitation have the potential to move institutions to action. 

The next Beyond the Dialogue Speaker Series event features Professor Blake Morant, who will present on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Interested participants may RSVP here at Beyond the Dialogue