RITUAL WORKS TO ENGENDER SHARED AUTHENTICITY AND CONFLICT REFLEXIVITY IN EQUITY ORGANIZING: GENERATIVE CONFLICT IN RACIAL EQUITY WORK GROUPS

Abstract: Based on findings of a 30-month ethnographic study of equity work groups, I demonstrate how collective rituals facilitate shared authenticity and reflexivity among members of equity work groups. Racial conflict in equity work groups proceeds along three pathways (i.e., acquiescent, generative, and obstructive), based on (1) group members’ engagement in collective rituals across racial differences, and (2) the continuity of shared authenticity and reflexivity among members of equity work groups. In acquiescent and obstructive intragroup conflict scenarios, shared authenticity and reflexivity were not resonant features of group dynamics, resulting in interpersonal masking and low reflexivity among group members. In generative scenarios, collective rituals engendered shared authenticity along with group-level and individual reflexivity regarding racial conflict. I present a process model demonstrating the conditions under which work group dynamics lead to generative equity organizing verses acquiescent and obstructive group outcomes which ultimately reinforce a passive aggressive conflict culture.

Keywords: authenticity; equity work groups; generative conflict; race; reflexivity