2019 Introduction to Residential Life Diversity & Belonging Education - Week 5
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2019 version of diversity and belonging lesson for resident assistant candidates at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for the "Introduction to Residential Life" course. Prepared by Orlando White
5. Sexist
Roots
Sexism IS bad
Sexism IS ALSO an everyday part of the lived
American experience
U.S. was founded on sexist (patriarchal) ideology
We are all a part of sexist systems in some way
How do we experience this at UNLV?
Blimling Pages 197 - 202
6. Racist
Roots
Racism IS bad
Racism IS ALSO an everyday part of the lived
American experience
U.S. was founded on racist ideology
We are all a part of racist systems in some way
How do we experience this at UNLV?
8. Founding of UNLV
“Rebelled” from the North (Reno)
Scarlet & Gray
Mascot
9. “Beauregard” to
“Hey Reb”
Hey Reb is not Confederate, he is a
Frontiersman
What did Frontier people do to Native
Americans?
10. Founding of
UNLV
UNLV founded in 1957 during the American Civil Rights
movement
LasVegas was known as “The Mississippi of the West”
Think of theTropicana Hotel, Flamingo Hotel
Moulin Rouge
Black-owned de-segregated hotel/casino
12. UNLV
Present
Day
By the numbers…
UNLV is a Federally-designated…
Minority Serving Institution (MSI 25%+ of students)
Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI 25% of students)
Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution
(AANAPISI 25% students)
Faculty (those who teach) don’t match our student demographics
Less than 1% of Faculty are Alaska Native
Less than 1% of Faculty areTwo of More Race-identifying
Less than 6% of Faculty are Hispanic-identifying
Less than 5% of Faculty are African-American
Less than 16% of Faculty are Asian
Source: UNLV Office of Decision Support
13. UNLV
Present
Day
Faculty & Staff don’t match our student
demographics
Why?
Who are the role models?
Who is in charge at UNLV?
Who is making decisions at UNLV?
What is the difference between minority-having and
minority-serving?
How do RAs and Res Life influence those
distinctions?
14. WhenWeTalk
About Identity,
WhatAreWe
ADDRESSING?
ADDRESSING
Age & Generation
Developmental Disability
Disability (Acquired)
Religion
Ethnicity & Race
Socioeconomic Status
Sexual Orientation
Indigenous Populations
National Origin & Language
Gender
18. Power
Access to resources and/or
privileges.The ability to influence
the behavior of others, with or
without resistance.
19. Oppression
The prolonged state of unjust
treatment or control including
mental pressure or distress by
those in power.
You can’t have oppression
without power.
20. Inclusion
&
Inclusivity
Inclusion:The feeling or act of being included
Inclusivity: the practice or policy of including
people who might otherwise be excluded or
marginalized, such as those who have
physical or mental disabilities and members
of minority groups.
21. Social
Justice
Justice in terms of the distribution
of wealth, opportunities, and
privileges within a society.
Both a process AND a goal
24. Activity
Time!
Grab 3 Post-it Notes
1 Blue
1Yellow
1 Pink
Move around the room
SILENT ACTIVITY
Place theYELLOW Post-it Note on the identity you
think about MOST often
Place the PINK Post-it Note on the identity you think
other people notice about you the most
Place the BLUE Post-it Note on the identity you
think about LEAST often
31. Helm’s
White
Identity
Development
ForWhite Folx…
Pre-Encounter Stage
“I don’t have a race, I’m just normal.”
If you’re ‘normal’ then who is
abnormal?
How does this type of thinking,
engrained over a lifetime, lend
itself to a sense of superiority or
supremacy?
32. HelpUs
Dr.
Robin
DiAngelo
ForWhite Folx…
Pre-Encounter Stage
“I don’t have a race, I’m just normal.”
If you’re ‘normal’ then who is
abnormal?
How does this type of thinking,
engrained over a lifetime, lend
itself to a sense of superiority or
supremacy?
36. Resident
Assistants
RAs are very influential on social
systems within our communities
RAs are expected to be agents of
social change
Much of our training is focused
here
RAs are expected to influence,
confront, teach and learn about
issues of equity and inclusivity.
37. Re-Cap
We only press pause on these
conversations--we do not stop
them.
Identity plays a big role in the
journey of RAs—who am I, how do I
fit in the world?
How do I use the RA position to
break-down systems or barriers for
myself and others?
38. Re-Cap
If this is too much Social Justice or if
this is too “PC” for you, then being an
RA at UNLV is NOT the job for you.
39. Reflection
Questions
(Homework)
1)What is the danger of
minimization? As an RA, how is
assuming that we should all be
treated equally potentially harmful
when put into practice?
2) Reflecting on theWeek 5 lecture,
what are you still thinking about?
(What was most impactful?) What
questions do you still have?
For responses to Question 2, we will look for themes
and attempt to answer the most frequently asked
questions in a future class (likelyWeek 6)
40. Sources
Atkinson, Morten, Sue "Ethnic/Cultural Identity Development Model"
Barrick Museum of Art
Cass, "Coming Out Model"
Dafina-Lazarus Stewart, Inside Higher Education: "Language of
Appeasement"
Desert Rose Films
ElsieY. Cross Associates
Fusion Comedy
Google
Gregory S. Blimling, "The Resident Assistant"
Helms, "White Identity Development Model"
Kimberle' Crenshaw, "Theory of Intersectionality"
Milton Bennet, "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity"
Pamela Hays, "ADDRESSING Model"
Robin DiAngelo, "White Fragility“
Social JusticeTraining Institute
U.S. News & World Report
United Methodist Church
UNLV Libraries
UNLV Office of Decision Support
Youtube
We are talking about sensitive topics—including racism, but that is OK. We talk a lot about identity in our department.
Purpose of this class
What this is and what this is not (What we are talking about and what we are not talking about)
We are not just Housing & Residential Life, we are Housing & Residential Life at the most ethnically diverse undergraduate school in the nation.
RAs must have an awareness and skillset to navigate diversity
For international students, consider this lesson a deeper examination of American culture
For White folx, we’ll make sure your racial development is included too!
Q. Who knows where this picture was taken? A. Barrick Museum. The original gym floor from UNLV is preserved and is the floor of the Barrick Museum of Art. The Confederate Flag on Beau’s hat was painted-over gray.
UNLV founded with some high profile racist/Confederate influences
“Succeeding from the North” (Reno)
School colors match the confederacy (scarlet & gray)
Beauregard (Mascot)
Mascot controversy continues today
Native American Population
1950s and 60s Las Vegas was known as “Mississippi of the West”
Flamingo, Tropicana, Moulin Rouge Hotels
Rancho High School Riots
UNLV is an MSI, HIS AANNAIPSI
Current Issues
Faculty/Staff don’t match student population
Lack of activism supports the Status Quo/dominant culture
Does not support marginalized or less privileged groups
UNLV is an MSI, HIS AANNAIPSI
Current Issues
Faculty/Staff don’t match student population
Lack of activism supports the Status Quo/dominant culture
Does not support marginalized or less privileged groups
Developed by Pamela Hays (1996, 2008), the “ADDRESSING” model is a framework that facilitates recognition and understanding of the complexities of individual identity. According to Hays, consideration of age, developmental disabilities, acquired disabilities, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, indigenous group membership, nationality, and gender contributes to a complete understanding of cultural identity. Each factor can help researchers understand underrepresented groups and oppressive
Equity (Ball field graphic, shoe example)
Weird Grammar
Handout-Language of Appeasement
Developed by Pamela Hays (1996, 2008), the “ADDRESSING” model is a framework that facilitates recognition and understanding of the complexities of individual identity. According to Hays, consideration of age, developmental disabilities, acquired disabilities, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, indigenous group membership, nationality, and gender contributes to a complete understanding of cultural identity. Each factor can help researchers understand underrepresented groups and oppressive.
Refer to page 2 of the handout
Privilege Activity (Worksheet+Privileged and Marginalized Definitions and Group Patterns)
Privilege identities tend to focus on individual, marginalized identities focus on community membership and shared experiences
Small group discussion at tables
Privilege Activity (Worksheet+Privileged and Marginalized Definitions and Group Patterns)
Privilege identities tend to focus on individual, marginalized identities focus on community membership and shared experiences
Small group discussion at tables
When we learn about identity theories, or any theory, it is important to understand that you will hear many different generalizations. This is because theory is developed based on patterns of behavior. Also, theories are like colors; if you learn about 3 theories, then you are only painting with three colors. The more theories you can incorporate, the more robust your research and understanding of a particular topic are.
Very common in Res Life; people are often away
from home for the first time and are more free of oppressive forces. This enables them to explore their sexuality in safer spaces.
Disclosure for folx on the Queer Spectrum
Influenced by safety
Blimling Pages 205-206
Non-linear process
Not all inclusive of trans-identity, those theories are still, largely, being researched and developed
Helm’s White ID Development (U.S. White People)
“I don’t have a race, I’m just normal”
If you’re ‘normal’ then who is abnormal?
How does this type of thinking, engrained over a lifetime, lend itself to a sense of superiority or supremacy?
1986. Dr. Milton Bennett. Ehtnocentric vs. Ethnorelative
“At the end of the day, we all bleed red blood and want the same things” Really? Would we have Stonewall Suites or Howell Town if residence hall floors were treated equally?
o As a department, we work towards acceptance, adaptation, & integration
o Minimization
How is minimization harmful?
• Understand how minimizing differences wouldn’t have allowed for opportunities like Howell Town and/or Stonewall Suites
o Link back to Diversity/Service Project
In groups, students should focus on both similarities and differences
If this is too much social justice and this is too “PC” for you, then being an RA at UNLV is not the job you. Sorry (not sorry).
If this is too much social justice and this is too “PC” for you, then being an RA at UNLV is not the job you. Sorry (not sorry).