In this episode of Stories Mediators Tell, Joseph B. Stulberg shares a powerful account of a community conflict where issues of racism and free speech collided, with real consequences for a high school student-athlete preparing to play at a Big Ten football program.
In this episode of Stories Mediators Tell, Joseph B. Stulberg shares a powerful account of a community conflict where issues of racism and free speech collided, with real consequences for a high school student-athlete preparing to play at a Big Ten football program.
Stulberg, the Michael E. Moritz Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cardozo School of Law, draws on decades of experience to reflect on the challenges of mediating deeply charged disputes rooted in identity, values, and public perception. As tensions escalated and divisions hardened, the stakes extended beyond individuals to an entire community.
Through this story, Stulberg explores what it takes to create space for dialogue when emotions run high and positions feel irreconcilable. He offers insight into the role of a mediator in navigating complex social conflict and the importance of process, patience, and principled engagement in moments that test the limits of understanding.