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Living Together: RA Skills for Engaging in Conversations on Diversity and Social Justice
Originally presented at Resident Assistant Training at Boston College on August 18, 2012. This brief presentation discusses how to approach difficult conversations and confront problematic language around issues of diversity and social justice.
Originally presented at Resident Assistant Training at Boston College on August 18, 2012. This brief presentation discusses how to approach difficult conversations and confront problematic language around issues of diversity and social justice.
RAWBAT • Define basic terms
including power, privilege, and microagression • Identify instances where microagressions may be occurring • Identify the difference between intent and impact when making statements • Describe “rules of thumb” for successfully navigating difficult conversations around difference
POWER “social oppression exists when
one social group, whether knowingly or unconsciously, exploits another social group for its own benefit.” Hardiman, R., & Jackson, B. W. (1997). Conceptual foundations for social justice courses. In M. Adams, L. A. Bell, & P. Griffin (Eds.). Teaching for diversity and social justice: A sourcebook (pp. 16-29). New York, NY: Routledge. (page 17)
PRIVILEGE “Both agents, those who
are privileged in the hierarchy of oppression, and targets, those who are victimized and penalized, play a role in maintaining oppression.” Bell, L. A. (1997). Theoretical Foundations for Social Justice Education. In M. Adams, L. A. Bell, & P. Griffin (Eds.). Teaching for diversity and social justice: A sourcebook (pp. 16-29). New York, NY: Routledge. (page 12)
microagressions are... “brief and commonplace
daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative... slights and insults toward people...” Sue, Derald Wing; Capodilupo, Christina M.; Torino, Gina C.; Bucceri, Jennifer M.; Holder, Aisha M. B.; Nadal, Kevin L.; Esquilin, Marta. Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Implications for Clinical Practice. American Psychologist, v62 n4 p271-286 May-Jun 2007.
We often have a good
INTENT but the IMPACT of what we say can have a different unintended effect.
Some of my best friends
are... [insert] Cullen, M. (2008). 35 dumb things well-intentioned people say. New York, NY: Morgan James Publishing. (page 63)
“Why do [insert] always have
to sit together? They are always sticking together.” Cullen, M. (2008). 35 dumb things well-intentioned people say. New York, NY: Morgan James Publishing. (page 98)
Now what... • Remember this
conversation • Manage your feelings of defensiveness • Listen intently to what happened • Reflect on what you heard • Figure out how to ground yourself so you can hear difficult feedback Special thanks to Stacey Pearson Wharton.
Now what 2... • Apologize
immediately • Take responsibility • Don’t try to prove your point of view or how much of a ____ist you are not • Share how you can make it different (if possible • Follow up
RAWBAT • Define basic terms
including power, privilege, and microagression • Identify instances where microagressions may be occurring • Identify the difference between intent and impact when making statements • Describe “rules of thumb” for successfully navigating difficult conversations around difference
IV IN G L R
E T H E TO G Skills for Engaging in Conversations on Diversity and Social Justice