CULTURE, CONFLICT AND COMMUNITY MEDIATION: UNDERSTANDING AND REMOVING BARRIERS TO ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF LATINOS IN COMMUNITY MEDIATION CENTERS IN OREGON by ALEXIS IRENE STICKEL A THESIS Presented to the Department of International Studies and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts June 2013 THESIS APPROVAL PAGE Student: Alexis Irene Stickel Title: Culture, Conflict and Community Mediation: Understanding and Removing Barriers to Active Participation of Latinos in Community Mediation Centers in Oregon This thesis has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in the Department of International Studies by: Kristin Yarris Chairperson Tim Hicks Member Galen Martin Member and Kimberly Andrews Espy Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies/Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded June 2013 ii © 2013 Alexis Irene Stickel iii THESIS ABSTRACT Alexis Irene Stickel Master of Arts Department of International Studies June 2013 Title: Culture, Conflict and Community Mediation: Understanding and Removing Barriers to Active Participation of Latinos in Community Mediation Centers in Oregon The Latino population is not accessing community mediation centers throughout Oregon. Mediation provides a safe space to resolve conflicts outside of the adjudicative processes and at a lower cost. Through interviews with program coordinators/directors of community mediation centers around Oregon, mediators with experience in bilingual mediation and Latino stakeholders, I explore the barriers that exist and methods to increase the participation of the Latino population in community mediation centers. The research asserts that mediation program practitioners have a desire to reach out to the Latino population but face enormous difficulty due to a lack of trust and, frequently, a lack of resources. The findings illustrate that energy and time focused on outreach and community building with the Latino population is necessary to increase trust, knowledge and willingness to participate in mediation. There is a need to train new mediators and to design programs to bring conflict resolution into diverse communities. iv CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Alexis Irene Stickel GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene DEGREES AWARED: Master of Arts, International Studies, 2013, University of Oregon Master of Arts, Conflict and Dispute Resolution, 2013, University of Oregon Graduate Certificate, Nonprofit Management, 2013, University of Oregon Bachelor of Arts, Journalism: Communication Studies, 2010, University of Oregon Bachelor of Arts, International Studies and Spanish, 2010, University of Oregon AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Conflict Resolution Mediation Peace Studies Immigration Latin America Spanish language and culture PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Programs and Services Coordinator, Conflict Resolution Services, Eugene, Oregon, 2012-present Board of Directors’ Secretary, Huerto de la Familia, Eugene, Oregon, 2012-2013 Leadership Development Fellow, Holden Center, Eugene, Oregon, 2010-2012 Intern, StoveTeam International, Eugene, Oregon, 2012 Intern, Centro LatinoAmericano, Eugene, Oregon, 2012 Intern, Community Mediation Services, Eugene, Oregon, 2011 v Intern, Tualatin Riverkeepers, Tualatin, Oregon, 2010 and 2011 GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Conflict Resolution Services, 2012-present Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Holden Center, 2010-2012 International Studies Department Travel Grant Conflict and Dispute Resolution’s Director’s Fund Grant Thurber Award Northwest Institute for Conflict Resolution 2012 Student Fellowship for International Peace Savage Endowment for International Relations and Peace 2012 Student Fellowship for International Peace and Conflict Resolution Internships PUBLICATIONS: Alexis, S. I. (2010). Motherhood and resistance in Argentina: Struggle against dictatorship in film and on the streets (Unpublished honors undergraduate thesis). University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank Professors Yarris and Martin for their assistance in the preparation of this thesis and Professor Hicks for guiding my learning and growth within the area of conflict resolution and community mediation. Special thanks are due to Carrie Heltzel, whose familiarity with community mediation centers throughout Oregon was helpful during the early planning phase of this project. Special thanks are due to all of the people who allowed me to interview them for this project. vii For my parents, who taught me value of education and persistence. This project would not have been possible without your constant support. And for all of the people working towards creating more culturally inclusive conflict resolution processes. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION: COMMUNITY MEDIATION AND THE LATINO IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE .................................................................................... 1 Preface: Two Vignettes ......................................................................................... 1 Maria and Rosa ............................................................................................... 1 Nestor and Jim ................................................................................................ 2 Introduction to Thesis ........................................................................................... 3 The Problem .................................................................................................... 5 Background of the Research ........................................................................... 6 Current Issues .................................................................................................. 8 Research Approach to the Problem Statement ................................................ 10 Use of Theory ................................................................................................. 11 Organization of Thesis .................................................................................... 13 Background on Community Mediation Centers and Mediation .......................... 15 Mediation and Community Mediation ............................................................ 15 The Mediation Process .................................................................................... 16 Entry .................................................................................................... 17 Gather Perspectives ............................................................................. 18 Locating Conflict ................................................................................ 18 Arrange or Negotiate ........................................................................... 19 Way Out or Agreement ....................................................................... 19 History and Evolution of Mediation ............................................................... 20 ix Chapter Page Approaches to Mediation ................................................................................ 20 Community Mediation Centers ....................................................................... 21 Types of Mediation Practices .......................................................................... 23 Community Mediation Centers in Oregon ...................................................... 24 Community Mediation Centers and Latinos .................................................. 26 The Latino Immigrant Experience ........................................................................ 27 Diversity in Oregon ......................................................................................... 28 Bicultural Identity ........................................................................................... 31 Issues of Race and Ethnicity ........................................................................... 33 Latino Threat Narrative ................................................................................... 41 II. CULTURE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND ISSUES OF CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN SOCIAL SERVICES ................................................................. 45 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 45 Definition of Culture ............................................................................................. 46 Culture and Conflict Resolution: Intercultural Frameworks ................................ 47 Individualism and Collectivism ...................................................................... 48 High and Low Context Communication ......................................................... 50 Power Distance ............................................................................................... 52 Other Cultural Value Patterns ......................................................................... 53 Culture, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Competency and Latinos ......................... 56 Prescriptive and Elicitive Approaches to Conflict Resolution ....................... 59 Emic and Etic Approaches to Conflict Resolution ......................................... 60 x Chapter Page Traditional versus Modern Mediation ............................................................ 61 The Role of the Third Party ...........................................................................