Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Difficult Conversations Concerning Identity And Difference: Diverse Approaches And Perspectives, Jordan Soliz, Srividya Ramasubramanian

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This essay is an introduction to the special issue on “Difficult Conversations Concerning Identity and Difference.” The essay begins with our argument that inquiries into difficult conversations are important as these interactions are key to addressing social inequities, creating and/or maintaining community and relational solidarity, amplifying voices of marginalized populations and/or diverse experiences, and enacting social change. Following this, we introduce the articles in the special issue highlighting the theoretical frameworks and methodological pluralism across the various relational and social contexts represented in the research (e.g., health care, higher education, community organizations, personal relationships). To complement the implications discussed by …