3. ANTHONY T MAM
B.S. Actuarial Mathematics, Bryant University 2011
• VP of the International Student Organization, 2009-2010
• Multicultural Student Union, 2007-2011
• Intercultural Center Work Study, 2008-2011
• RA, 2009-2011
M.S. College Student Personnel, University of RI 2013
• Resident Director at RISD, 2011-2013
• Graduate Intern at URI Multicultural Center, Spring 2012
• Program Intern at Brown University’s TW Center, 2012-2013
I have a strong passion for diversity and social justice, specifically with
communities of color. My motto in life is to “Celebrate, Educate, and
Advocate” people about themselves and others

4. MY PEOPLE OUT THERE…

5. ACTIVITY
My name is _____________,
and
I Am____________________
• _______________________
_
• _______________________
_

6. GOAL
Every individual will have an appreciation
of their own identity and recognize the
many that other’s share

7. GOAL
Furthermore, the ability to reflect on these questions:
What reactions/feelings/thoughts do I have when I hear the
terms diversity and multiculturalism ?
What groups do I identify with the most?
What groups do I have a particularly difficult time relating
to? Why?
What groups do I have identifiable negative thoughts
about? What is underneath the thoughts?
Are there groups I am aware of avoiding? What
stereotypes do I have toward these groups?
What steps am I willing to take to address my stereotypes
toward out-group members?

8. DON’T GET IT TWISTED - TERMS
 Ethnicity
 Race
 Nationality
 Citizenship
 Heritage
 Culture

9. ACTIVITY!

10. Can include:
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Nationality
• Citizenship
• Heritage
• Culture
Can also include your
upbringing:
• Neighborhood
• Hometown
• State
• Social Identity….
WHAT IS MULTICULTURALISM:

11. WHAT IS “IDENTITY”
The AMERICAN Heritage Dictionary (1993) defines identity as
“a set of behavioral or personal characteristics by
which an individual is recognizable as a
member of a group.”

12. WHO AM I? THE COMPLEXITY OF IDENTITY
• “The salience of particular aspects of our identity
varies at different moments in our lives” (Tatum,
1997).
• “The parts of our identity that do capture our
attention are those that other people notice, and
that reflect back to us” (1997).
• “Social categories…are[/were] used to establish and
maintain a particular social order” (Kirk & Okazawa-
Rey, 2001).
• It’s a social construction
• It’s great to recognize, but don’t let it define a
person

13. SOCIAL IDENTITIES – CATEGORIES*
• Race /Ethnicity
• Gender
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Socioeconomic status
• Age
• Ability
*Research has shown that these are historically the most prevalent social
identities.
*Also note that these are perceived identities

14. WHO ARE YOU?
ACTIVITY!

15. BUT GUESS WHAT?.....
Multiculturalism is what you want to define it!
• “human relations outlook based on tolerance, acceptance,
collaboration, and learning to become comfortable with one’s
self and diverse others.”
• “advocate for marginalized groups from their own perspective,
equalizing inequities through their voices.”
• “integrates individuals with groups outside their own and helps
them to understand the social, political, and historical influences
that have shaped their identity”
• “addressing inequities by promoting critical questioning,
democracy, the analysis of systems of oppression, and
engagement in social action.”

16. I DEFINE BEING MULTICULTURAL AS…
A potluck where you bring who you are to the table while also
enjoying the stuff that everyone else brings. This is done
through celebrating, educating, and advocating.
YOUR TURN!
Take a couple minutes to define your own definition of being
multicultural

17. SO IN ESSENCE…
• We are ALL multicultural
• We have our own stories that can be told
• We are not all the same
• Be proud of your identity, but don’t let social
construction keep you in a CLOSED box
• Be an OPEN box – reveal what is inside AND
take in information

18. QUICKLY: -ISMS, STEREOTYPES, OPPRESSION,
MICROAGGRESSIONS
What Are They?

19. WHY DOES HAVING MULTICULTURAL
UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANT AS AN RA?
?

20. WHAT IS ONE MAJOR WAY YOU CAN
BECOME MULTICULTURALLY COMPETENT?
BECOME AN ALLY
Do this By….
Educating
Celebrating
Advocating

21. AN ALLY
An ally is someone who stands up and
speaks out against hate, prejudice and
discrimination against others.
A white person can be an anti-racist ally,
for example, and a man can be an
antisexist ally.

22. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ALLY
People who are confident in his/her own group status
and who are comfortable and proud of his/her own
identity.
People who take responsibility for learning about his/her
own heritage and that of other’s culture and
experiences.
People who acknowledge that “unearned privilege” is
received by members of some groups in society and
work to change unearned privileges into responsibility
and rights for all.
People who recognize that unlearning prejudice and
oppressive behaviors is a lifelong process and
welcome every opportunity to learn more.

23. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ALLY
People who are willing to take risks, try on new thoughts
and behaviors, and act in spite of fear or resistance from
others.
People who act against social injustice out of a belief that it
is in his/her own self-interest to do so. (Rather than out of
pity or to “help” others.)
People who are willing to make mistakes, learn from them,
and try again.
People who are open to being confronted about his/her own
behaviors and attitudes and consider change and growth
– without being defensive and in denial.

24. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ALLY
People who work to understand the connections
between all forms of oppression.
People who believe they can make a difference by
speaking out against all forms of oppression –
whether or not they are directly affected and
part of the group being oppressed.
People who know how to build strong support and
relationships with other allies to make a
positive difference.

25. REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Discuss the meaning of, “I do not see color/gender/sexual
orientation/etc” when talking or interacting with others.
Why is it important not to say that?
How will you personally develop yourself more in this
subject matter?
How specifically might you work to increase or achieve
multicultural competence on your floor/unit/suites?

26. RWU CAMPUS RESOURCES
• Women’s Center
• Intercultural Center
• Multicultural Affairs
• International Affairs
• Spiritual Life
• LGBTQ&Q Student Affairs
• Locker Room
• Student Advocacy
• Student Accessibility Services

29. THANK YOU!