Ron Wakabayashi was the Regional Director of the Western Region of the Community Relations Service from 1999 to 2020.

All videos -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEO2g2TpLNxSXXF8QwEFExo8s4ubLA2o

Part 1 - https://youtu.be/pE_S7t2Ad0c

Part 2 - https://youtu.be/t893PTjFtcc

Part 3 - https://youtu.be/fkSVCFDjuEk

Part I

As part of the Civil Rights Mediation Oral History Project Heidi Burgess from Beyond Intractability interviews Ron Wakabayashi, the former regional director of the western region of CRS. Ron starts the interview with a discussion of his background and the positions he has held positions in various organizations, including vice president of community problem solving at the United Way, human relations director for the city and county of Los Angeles, and eventually joins the CRS as the western regional director.

Ron reflects on his involvement in dealing with the aftermath of the Rodney King incident and the subsequent civil unrest in 1992. He discusses the transformation of the unrest from initially being perceived as a protest against police misconduct to later being labeled as the Black-Korean riot. Ron describes mediation between the Black community and the Korean community, highlighting the challenges due to differences in cultural understanding. Ron also discusses the complex dynamics between the Black and Korean communities, emphasizing the media's role in shaping narratives and contributing to misunderstandings. 

During the interview, Ron and Heidi discuss an incident in Inglewood, California, involving the arrest of a 14-year-old black male by Inglewood PD using excessive force. The incident occurred in the context of racial and gang tensions within the community. Ron mentions the challenges of dealing with such situations and emphasizes the importance of engagement between parties over expecting a complete resolution. The discussion touches on the trials of police officers and the rarity of convictions of police officers for excessive force or wrongdoing, leading to mistrust among the public.

The conversation then shifts to the involvement of CRS in earlier events, with a focus on local community engagement, schools, and efforts to prevent frustration from escalating. Ron emphasizes the importance of managing the narrative to prevent civil unrest and describes a training program for young people involved in the process. The interview also touches on maintaining peace after verdicts, especially if there are demonstrations. Strategies involved in managing demonstrations include spreading events away from downtown areas, releasing people early, and isolating anarchists to reduce the crowd. Ron highlights how the dispersal tactic complicates handling protests, particularly when there is no centralized leadership. However, Ron states that it was rare to have direct engagement with anarchists and that there was difficulty in establishing contact with them.

The interview concludes as Ron discusses the role of CRS in preventing civil unrest. Ron emphasizes the importance of addressing small conflicts or "brush fires" before they escalate into full-blown crises. He suggests that CRS's main mission should be to stop these incidents from turning into wildfires.

 

 

Part II

In January 2022, Heidi Burgess interviewed Ron Wakabayashi for a second time as part of the Civil Rights Mediation Oral History Project. The interview starts with a discussion of an issue in Torrance California relating to discriminatory actions of the police department. Ron discusses tabletop exercises and bridging the gap between law enforcement and the local community. Ron mentions the changes in police-community relations, attributing some shifts to increased community involvement and the impact of technology, such as video recordings that provide different perspectives on incidents. He discusses the challenge of societal polarization and the expectation for absolute solutions. 

During the interview, Ron mentions a specific case involving a Native American group facing challenges from county code enforcement regarding their ceremonial site. Ron describes a mediation process involving cultural considerations, time flexibility, and the inclusion of folks from the Native American community. The discussion emphasizes the importance of managing expectations, open communication, and the willingness to engage in dialogue to reach solutions. The conversation delves into the complexities of mediating conflicts between different communities, considering cultural, economic, and structural factors. Ron mentions challenges faced by Korean merchants in South Central Los Angeles and reflects on the role of community leaders and institutions in conflict resolution. 

Heidi and Ron discuss the challenges of managing rumors, especially in the context of social media. Ron emphasizes the difficulty of controlling rumors, comparing the past with the present. He highlights the importance of field experience in effectively addressing false rumors. The conversation touches on the limitations of current management in handling such situations, particularly the lack of field experience. Ron describes the need for a nuanced approach in navigating online spaces like Parler, Reddit, and 4Chan, where certain groups with aggressive tendencies operate. He mentions the significance of developing relationships and entry strategies to engage with these communities. The discussion also introduces the concept of a community command center, a collaborative effort involving different stakeholders to address and counteract rumors.

The conversation concludes with Ron discussing the significance of building trust through incremental and genuine relationship-building processes. He shares insights into navigating conversations with law enforcement officials, highlighting the need for adaptability and awareness of one's identity in various interactions.

 

 

 

Part III

In January 2022, Heidi Burgess interviewed Ron Wakabayashi, the regional director at the western region of the CRS for their third and final discussion. The interview starts with Ron highlighting roadblocks faced by CRS staff. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding exploitation while maintaining a neutral third-party role. Ron also addresses the difficulties of navigating conflicting federal regulations, the impact of political trends on CRS work, and the challenges of maintaining agility within the bureaucratic structure. Additionally, Ron touches on the limitations imposed on practitioners, such as the lack of flexibility in program design. 

Heidi and Ron discuss the role of media in CRS’s work, emphasizing the importance of managing media involvement to maintain confidentiality and professionalism. Ron highlights the value of engaging with journalists for reliable information during critical incidents. Ron mentions the dynamics of managing media during mediations, acknowledging the potential for parties to play to the camera. He emphasizes the need for clear ground rules and addresses scenarios where media presence may lead to disruptions, suggesting that such issues can be avoided through established ground rules. Heidi asks Ron about measuring success in his role at CRS. Ron shares his main focus was getting parties engaged in dialogue. He states that it can be difficult to achieve a final resolution in complex societal issues and suggests that success is more about facilitating engagement and conversation.

The discussion then shifts to the changing landscape of the civil rights movement and race relations during Ron's tenure at CRS. Heidi observes a decrease in the willingness to negotiate or collaborate with authorities, especially among progressives and racial minorities. Ron shares insights into modifying public forums, like town halls, to encourage more constructive dialogue. The interview also discusses changes in policing over Ron's career at CRS. He observes a shift in discussions, with topics like implicit bias gaining attention, and mentions a practical exercise differentiating between law enforcement and peace officer roles to highlight preventive and peacekeeping aspects. The interview also mentions administrative changes within CRS and the federal government's overall attitude towards CRS's work. Ron notes an increased interest in conflict resolution and a growing understanding of the complexities involved. The conversation concludes with Ron expressing his gratitude for a fulfilling career.