IV IN G L R
E T H E TO GSkills for Engaging in Conversations on Diversity and Social Justice

RAWBAT

RAWBATResident Assistants will be able
to...

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

ROLES

RO What ground rules do
we have for ourL discussion today? What roles will we play?ES

ROLES

R - RespectOLES

R - RespectOL - Listen
firstES

R - RespectOL - Listen
firstE What wouldS you add?

First, a few concepts...

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)

So...How does thisinfluence how wetalk
about thesetopics and issues?

m icroaggressions

microagressions are...“brief and commonplace dailyverbal,
behavioral, orenvironmental indignities, whetherintentional or unintentional, thatcommunicate hostile, derogatory,or negative... slights and insultstoward 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.

like mosqu ito bites

one bite might not hurt
that much...

but multiple bitescan build over
time

EXAMPLEA gay man constantly getsasked
if he has a girlfriend.

What are the hidden assumptions?

EXAMPLE A low income studentconstantly
gets asked toparticipate in expensive activities.

What are the hidden assumptions?

We often have a good
INTENT but the IMPACTof what we say can have adifferent unintended effect.

Some of my bestfriends are...
[insert] Cullen, M. (2008). 35 dumb things well-intentioned people say. New York, NY: Morgan James Publishing. (page 63)

what’s the INTENT?what’s the IMPACT?what
should you doINSTEAD?

“Why do [insert] always have
to sittogether? They are always sticking together.” Cullen, M. (2008). 35 dumb things well-intentioned people say. New York, NY: Morgan James Publishing. (page 98)

what’s the INTENT?what’s the IMPACT?what
should you doINSTEAD?

OOP S!

tepped in it!I s Now
what?

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 GSkills for Engaging in Conversations on Diversity and Social Justice