Creating Our Inclusive Communities University Housing RA/CA Training August 2018

Learning Goals Participants will discuss what constitutes an inclusive community Participants will discuss how to face our own prejudices Participants will discuss strategies for developing inclusive communities Participants will discuss how we promote authentic dialogues among our residents Participants will discuss programming to promote inclusive communities

Agenda The role of inclusive language in community building Understanding own identities CAs & RAs working together to support residential student growth Programming Applications Self-care/compassion support

First, a few concepts… So let’s get into discussing why what we need to do within our individual capacities to serve students through incorporating social justice principles

POWER The ability to decide who will access to resources; the capacity to direct or influence the behavior of others, oneself, and/or the course of events. Scripps Communities of Resources and Empowerment (SCORE) @Scripps College

PRIVILEGE Unearned access to resources only readily available to some people as a result of their advantaged social group membership. Scripps Communities of Resources and Empowerment (SCORE) @Scripps College

MARGINALIZATION Treatment of a person, group or concept as insignificant or pervasive and places them outside of the mainstream society. Student Life @University of Houston

EQUALITY Evenly distributed access to resources and opportunity necessary for a safe and healthy life; uniform distribution of access that may or may not result in equitable outcomes. Student Life @University of Houston

EQUITY Is the guarantee of fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups Student Life @University of Houston

MICROAGGRESSIONS Intentional or unintentional verbal, nonverbal or environmental slights/insults that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to people based upon their marginalized group. Student Life @University of Houston

PERSONAL IDENTITIES Identities as individuals‐including our personal characteristics, history, personality, name, and other characteristics that make us unique and different from other individuals. Office of Multicultural Affairs @ University of Massachusetts Lowell

SOCIAL IDENTITIES Involves the ways in which one characterizes oneself (e.g. race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.). Office of Multicultural Affairs @ University of Massachusetts Lowell

Understanding Our Own Identities What are the identities most salient to you? How do these identities influence the way you approach your work? How do you engage with differences? How do you build empathy instead of breaking it? What are some conversations you feel challenged to have because of your identity or perception of identity? Explain SALIENCY -differentiate between privileged and marginalized identities -> focus more on privileged identities in this presentation -> come attend a Culture of Inclusion session in the fall to learn more about privileged/marginalized identities..

Understanding Our Own Identities Just because you are, doesn't mean you understand. Just because you're not, doesn't mean you can't or don't want to.

Why is all this important? Word choice matters AND understanding your own worldview is important in being able to: -recognize your own bias’ -be open to hearing another’s perspective -words matter to people (not just the ones we went over…HOW ELSE DOES LANGUAGE PLAY A ROLE IN RELATIONSHIP BUILDING?)

Working Together to Support Residents Have authentic conversations Reading body language Feel empowered Don’t be so quick to refer to an office/someone who holds that identity University resources & limitations Know when and when not to engage Knowing the right words vs being authentic in your way…so mistakes are okay and you should be okay with it… - being visible and being out in community helps with having these conversations… Question on next slide about dialoguing across differences

inclusive living-learning What are ways that CAs & RAs can better work together in creating inclusive living-learning environments?

Responding to Community Issues Groups of 6 10 minutes Provided an article Create a program that addresses the issue shared Share with larger group

We should feel empowered to Self-Care & Compassion Burnout Here because we care AND We should feel empowered to say ‘yes’ & ‘no’

Those holding privileged identities can help! Educate yo’self! True allyship vs. accomplice vs. advocate Different forms of activism

QUESTIONS? By: Lamesha Andrews, Heather Macon, Brittany McDaniel, Azura Morgan, Gaby Rojas, & Blake York

References http://www.uh.edu/cdi/diversity_education/resources/pdf/terms.pdf https://www.uml.edu/docs/Glossary_tcm18-55041.pdf http://www.scrippscollege.edu/xbk/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/files/Power-Privilege-and-Oppression.pdf