Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Orientation 2020
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” –– Angela Davis
*Today’s opening session will primarily focus on race, fully acknowledging that oppression affects many identities. “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppressions”- Audre Lorde
Purpose of Conversation Guide
The intention of this conversation guide is to start examining the systems and beliefs racism operates under. Racism is one “ism,” there are many “ism’s” that we must confront, challenge and change our understanding and behaviors.
Talking about racism, requires talking about racial identity ( we all have one) and the social construct of race and racism. It is not the responsibility of BIPOC( Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students to educate you or the community at large. It is nuanced, varied, individual choices and depends on established relationship or lack of relationship.
One way to have this conversation is by committing to listening, learning, unlearning and relearning.
Let’s Begin.
Purpose of Conversation Guide
This guide won’t cover everything, it only scratches the surface of our work together in our classes, dorm, afternoon, activities as we build a safe community. This is one way we will grow together.
Why Now?
What are the skills needed to talk about race?
��Why are we talking about race and racism right now? What are your thoughts? ( Discuss)
The hard part of talking about race/racism is……….
The beneficial part of talking about race/racism is-------
Define Terms
Diversity – numerical representation, appreciating social and cultural differences
Equity – fairness, ensuring access and creating equivalent outcomes, addressing differences in power and privilege and ending systemic inequality
Inclusion – sense of belonging, feeling valued, respected, and empowered
Define Terms
Implicit Bias- Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding,actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. These biases, which can encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without individuals awareness or intentional control.
Stereotypes- A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Prejudice- A preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
Define Terms
Racism – is prejudice plus power; anyone of any race can have/exhibit racial prejudice, but in North America, white people have the institutional power, therefore Racism is a systematized discrimination or antagonism directed against people of color based on the belief that whiteness is superior. It is insidious, systemic, devastating, and integral to understanding both the history of the United States and the everyday experiences of those of us living in this country.
Define Terms
Microaggression-A microaggression is a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority). They are painful remarks, questions, or actions that have to do with a person's membership in a group that's discriminated against or subject to stereotypes. https://www.vox.com/2015/2/16/8031073/what-are-microaggressions Watch: https://youtu.be/hDd3bzA7450
Intersectionality- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1islM0ytkE
Dominant Culture-Is a group of people who hold the most power.
Define Terms
Anti-Racist- An Anti-Racist person is someone who is opposed to racism. (Personal and Structural Racism)
Anti-racism is actively working against racism. It is making a commitment to resisting unjust laws, policies and racists attitudes. Anti-racism is how we get free from living in a racialized society that keeps us separate and oppressed.
ttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2016/jan/13/marlon-james-are-you-racist-video (Watch)
A one hour workshop does not automatically make us anti-racists. We all have been racialized(whether we know it or not) and we are all combating the prejudices and biases we carry.
https://thevideosuite.com/pg-tackle-racism-in-powerful-short-film-the-look/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/business/procter-and-gamble-the-talk-ad/2017/08/04/52345b76-7940-11e7-8c17-533c52b2f014_video.html
Implicit Bias
What does “implicit” mean?
Bias Continued
Discussion Questions
What were your initial thoughts of the couple’s reaction in THE LOOK?
When you’re at a restaurant, do you notice the race of your waiter and the other staff?
Discussion Questions
As you watched THE LOOK, what do you think the protagonist felt when he noticed the glances?
Why do you believe the store personnel responded this way in THE LOOK?
Reflection
The work of addressing and unpacking the nuances of race in the United States is not easy for people that are unfamiliar talking about about race.
It must begin with self-reflection, an open mind, and a space to talk constructively.
Action
Show up- to conversations, dialogues, and learning opportunities. Keep Learning
Don’t expect on BIPOC peers to teach you how to talk about race (unless they want to) The BIPOC community is not a monolith. White people: have conversations with white people about race. ( We will make those opportunities available)
Listen to BIPOC individual and believe their stories when they are shared.
Action
Be upset about the injustices and learn about the root of them. Don’t be silent. Read, Watch and Listen. Don’t sit back.
Identify racism and question it. Identify transphobia and homophobia and question it. Identify ableism and question it.
Speak up and out. (We will talk specifically about Microaggressions at school,in a feature assembly or evening workshop)
Stand up to anti immigrant attitudes. No one is illegal.
Be mindful of the space you take up, BIPOC people are routinely silenced and talked over in various settings.
Action
Being an ally/accomplice/anti-racist is life long work. You will make mistakes and may be corrected. Take the feedback and grow.
It is not a hashtag. It is not performative. It is something we must do for a more just society.
Places to start at Putney outside the classroom: Diversity Committee, Spectrum, Susty, Anti- Racist Farm group, Book Groups, Project Weeks.
WATCH: Eliminating Microaggressions: The Next Level of Inclusion | Tiffany Alvoid | TEDxOakland