Dialogue In the Midst of Structural Dilemmas

This session explores the phenomenon of relational discrimination. Relational discrimination occurs when we are placed in a certain type of relationship and may become accomplices to discrimination or cause it, regardless of whether or not there is any individual prejudice or discriminatory consciousness (Miura 2014).

Rather than resulting from overt prejudice or intentional discriminatory acts, relational discrimination may emerge unintentionally through structural dilemmas embedded in social relations, thereby calling into question the conventional static binary distinction between the majority and the minority.

This session provides insights into how unintentional discrimination occurs and how participants negotiate or handle such situations, focusing on linguistic practices, performativity, conversation, interaction, historical accounts, and related issues. Moreover, we discuss the link between micro-level interactions and macro-level social structures, as well as the mutual feedback between them.

Once individuals are placed in such a position, it may be difficult to avoid becoming complicit in relational discrimination. Although this could happen to anyone, it does not constitute a “free pass.” Rather, we also consider the practical challenge of how people maintain dialogue in the very midst of such situations, despite tensions, conflicts, and dilemmas.

Miura, Kokichiro. 2014, “Walking on the Edge: Towards a Sociography of Discrimination against the Buraku: Lectures on Discrimination in Letter Format” International Journal of Japanese Sociology, 23:46-62.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

Disability, Homelessness, Mental Illness, Hikikomori (social withdrawal), Migration, Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Disaster and Post-Disaster.

Qualitative research preferred.