Grande Lum is a former Director of the Community Relations Service, serving in that role from 2012-2016. He is also the Co-author with Bertram Levine of America's Peacemakers: The Community Relations Service and Civil Rights.

All Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEO2g2TpLNznDeZNy-T9baLVZXp2dza6

Part 1: https://youtu.be/2a2yZ6AUca0

Part 2: https://youtu.be/NMIRTahF1Sg

Part 3: https://youtu.be/s1x6uAj9CUo

Part 4: https://youtu.be/LuxPb3pSZWk

Part 1 Summary – Not Available  Video

 

Part II Summary – Video

In the second interview with Grande Lum, Grande discusses his experience as the director of CRS from 2012 to 2016. The interview begins with a discussion of managing tension in highly charged public meetings, with an example of a meeting with Attorney General Holder. Lum discusses strategies for handling potentially volatile situations, including facilitating small group discussions and setting ground rules. Lum also shares insights into his experiences in Baltimore after the Freddie Gray incident, highlighting the role of timing, preparation, and understanding the goals of the intervention.

The interview touches on the diverse nature of CRS work, including both high-profile cases and more routine situations. Lum describes his involvement in larger conflicts where his presence as a high-level government official was beneficial and the importance of providing support, training, and resources to conciliators in less emotionally charged situations. The discussion also highlights the role of relationship-building, credibility, and understanding community dynamics in successful conflict resolution efforts.

The conversation shifts to a discussion regarding training within CRS. Lum talks about the challenges of consistency and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of combining academic training with practical experience. He notes the evolution in recent cohorts, with more individuals entering CRS with conflict resolution backgrounds and degrees. Lum suggests that practical experience, combined with conflict resolution training, enhances one's ability to navigate complex situations effectively.

Lum discussed the evolving nature of hate crimes and incidents, noting an uptick in anti-Semitic and anti-Asian violence in recent years. He highlighted the importance of cultural competency for conciliators working with diverse communities. Regarding changes over the years, Lum highlighted increased diversity within CRS.

Heidi and Grande discuss the collaboration between CRS and other departments within the DOJ. Lum discusses the balance CRS maintains between assessment and investigation, particularly in situations where people may expect the CRS to prosecute or investigate, but that is not its role. Lum highlights instances where CRS worked with the Civil Rights Division and various DOJ offices, such as hate crimes reporting and prevention efforts. He emphasizes the importance of communication and confidentiality in their work, noting that CRS could not share information that could be used for prosecution or litigation. The discussion extends to CRS's engagement with other federal agencies, such as FEMA, SBA, and DHS. Lum discusses the importance of networking and building relationships, both within the DOJ and with external agencies, to effectively address community conflicts. The interview concludes with a brief discussion of media, political polarization, and CRS’s jurisdictional limitations.

 

Part III Summary -  Video

The third interview with Grande Lum begins with a discussion of the changes in the civil rights movement. Lum then discusses black-white relations as well as the changing demographics of CRS staff over time. Grande highlights the passage of the Matthew Shepard James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the impact that act had on what type of cases CRS handled.

The conversation delves into the challenges faced by CRS in recent times, Heidi expressed concern about there being more reluctance to negotiate. Lum emphasizes the importance of trust-building and credibility for CRS in such situations. The discussion then turns to the topic of Roger Wilkins, the second director of CRS, who saw the agency as an extension of the civil rights movement into the federal government. Lum provides insights into Wilkins' approach and the agency's earlier focus on various civil rights issues beyond mediation. Lum notes that CRS has not returned to the way it was under Wilkins.

The interview mentions the impact of political polarization on the work of CRS. Lum discusses the challenges arising from suspicion towards federal government officials in a polarized climate, with groups attempting to portray CRS as biased. He emphasizes the need for CRS mediators to be perceived as nonpartisan and highlights the importance of trust-building. The conversation then touches on changes in police work and education affecting CRS.

Heidi and Grande discuss the funding of CRS and budget cuts. Heidi asks whether these cuts are a result of general reductions or if CRS is singled out as unnecessary. Grande explains that CRS faced targeted budget cuts during the Trump administration, influenced by certain groups advocating for its elimination. He emphasizes the negative impact such reductions can have on CRS's ability to carry out its work and highlights instances where administrations undervalued the agency. The interview ends with a discussion of the agency's origin and name.

 

Part IV Summary – Video

The final interview with Grande Lum starts with a discussion on the impact of social media, particularly in spreading fake news and polarization, and its role in CRS's work. Grande Lum highlights the difficulty of engaging people when social media promotes divisive narratives. He acknowledges the positive aspect of social media in shedding light on issues like police and community relations but expresses concerns about increasing tribalism.

Grande Lum also touches on the future of CRS, noting the recent confirmation of a director after six years without a director. Grande believes there will be increased support and budget for CRS under the Biden administration. Lum emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying causes of hate crimes and hopes CRS will focus on prevention in addition to responding to flare-ups. He suggests a need for consistent training, professional development, and mentoring for conciliators. Lum sees the current period as a unique opportunity to rebuild CRS effectively and collaboratively. There was a significant reduction in CRS personnel during the Trump administration. Under the Biden administration, there is a chance to shape the agency for the future. He emphasizes the importance of expertise in emerging areas such as social media, convening in-person gatherings, and leveraging technology. Lum acknowledges the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interactions but also sees the potential of technology for greater access, especially in marginalized communities.

Lum discusses the need for subject matter experts to bridge the gap between practitioners and researchers. He suggests incorporating systems designers into CRS, emphasizing the potential benefits of their expertise in resolving conflicts. Additionally, Lum believes that CRS could look into restorative justice more. He also mentions the importance of early warning systems and data-driven approaches to predict and address conflicts proactively. During the interview, Grande discusses the importance of mentoring for new mediators. Lum emphasizes the need for both internal and external training, suggesting possible partnerships with universities or organizations. 

The conversation concludes by mentioning Lum's written works, including op-eds and articles, which provide valuable insights into CRS and conflict resolution. Lum also recommends publications by Becky Monroe, Wallace Warfield, and James Lowy for a deeper understanding of CRS and related topics.