EDU 401 – MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
© 2012 Aïda Michlowski, PhD, JD
MARIAN UNIVERSITY
School of Education
Declaration of Rights
We have the right to be different
and to ACCEPT differences from
others.
We have the right to be treated
fairly and be given equal
opportunity to be heard.
We have the right to say what we
think and mean what we say.
We have the right to make mistakes
and the right to learn from them.
Slide 2 of 12
CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Slide 3 of 18
HOW CONFLICT HAPPENS
TWO TALES OF CONFLICT
Between two mountains lay a narrow bridge. On
each side of the bridge lived a goat. One day, both goats
began to cross the bridge at the same time and they met at
the middle of the bridge. Neither wanted to give way.
“Get out of my way. Move off”
shouted the Western Goat.
“Move yourself. You back off”
yelled the Eastern Goat. Neither
would retreat so they locked
horns and pushed until they both
fell off the bridge. Wet and
furious they stomped home,
each one mumbling, “What a
stubborn fool.”
”I’ve got to go to the other side”
said the Western Goat. “So do
I,” countered the Eastern Goat.
“Perhaps if we are both careful .
. .” added the Western Goat. “ . .
. we could pass without falling!”
concluded the Eastern Goat. So
they tried and both went on their
way thinking, “What a friendly
fellow!”
Why
conflict
happens
CONFLICT vs. CONGRUENCE
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disagreement
strife
collision
rejection
coercion
hostility
power struggle
win/lose
 concurrence
 harmony
 unison
 acceptance
 persuasion
 affirmation
 shared power
 win/win
SELF POWER + PARTNER POWER =
SHARED POWER  CONGRUENCE
POWER SAPPERS
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confusion
suspicion
discrimination
rigidity
stereotypes
bullying
rejection
POWER ZAPPERS
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clear directions
trust
inclusion
flexibility
understanding
kindness
acceptance
The MATTHEW Rule
[From the Holy Bible - Matthew 18:15-7]
Member - discuss matter with the
person.
Another - ask a third party if
needed.
Team - bring the issue before the
group.
Top - refer problem to the
management.
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
• Use I-W-Y-B messages.
– I (insert your own true feeling) when
you (insert the other person’s
behavior) because (insert reason)
• Follow the “sandwich approach.”
If there is right in the soul,
there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world!
-Chinese Proverb
•Together
•Everyone
•Achieves
•More