Diversity 101 Sandra L. Mitchell Sandra Mitchell Associate Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion Sandra L. Mitchell Intercultural Education Program Specialist Kim Carrier Volunteer Program Coordinator

There is no checklist or easy answer

Let’s ground ourselves… We are all doing the best we can Growth and learning can be uncomfortable: remember it’s ok to make mistakes Individuals and organizations can, and do, grow and change but it doesn’t happen overnight We always need to practice self-awareness There are no quick fixes It’s OK to take care of ourselves

Basic Assumptions We all have prejudices and biases All good people agree,  And all good people say,  All nice people, like Us, are We  And every one else is They  -- Rudyard Kipling

Basic Assumptions Prior experience creates difference

Basic Assumptions We can’t change what we’ve been taught but we can challenge those beliefs and raise self awareness

Basic Assumptions Challenging bias and prejudice is an on-going process Karim Abdu Said

Actor Nick Cannon leading a Black Lives Matter march Zachary Hammond was killed by police South Carolina in 2015 Dylan Roof killed 9 people at the Emmanuel AME Church in 2016 Imam Karim AbuZaid 

Basic Assumptions There are no easy answers

Basic Assumptions Diversity is a strength, not a problem

You must be open-minded

Kim

It is important to understand ourselves and who we are before we can begin to understand others. The work has to be connected to who you are. Activity (Who am I?) Write six word or short phrases that describes the essence of who you are. These should be things that if taken away, you would not be the same person. (5 minutes) Now divide into groups. Everyone cross one item off you list that is the least important of the six. Talk to you group about why you chose that item. (break) Do this again for another item (repeat until only one item remains) Explain how the one remaining item cannot solely define who you are as a person

Diversity is Not a Goal... Diversity is not a goal. If it were, we achieved this goal the minute more than one person is on our campus Diversity should aslo not be confused with political correctness

Differing Perspectives Fast, cheap filling Poison inhumane

What is Diversity? Di-ver-si-ty- n. 1. a being different or varied; difference. 2. variety.

What is Diversity? Diversity is about our lived relationship with “the other” in our midst We tend to think of diversity and culture as synonymous.

What is Culture? Culture- learned and shared beliefs, assumptions and values about the “right” way to behave. Refers not only to racial or ethnic groups we are born into but also groups that we choose to belong to, such as religious or social groups Combination of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, beliefs, values and behavior patterns that are shared by racial, ethnic, religious, social or organizational groups Provides guidelines for how we live each day We often move between cultures A shared definition

Culture is the water the goldfish lives in

Culture- learned and shared belifs, assumptions and values about the “right” way to behave. We tend to focus only on the things that we see above the surface when the important things are actually beneath. Often when we talk about Jesuit mission hsitorically, we think about the things that are above the surface (such as dress, customs, etc) The `laundry list' of various cultural attributes will acquaint the nurse with broad outlines of a cultural group, but will not provide the information that nurses must have for the individualized care that healthcare providers give. Healthcare providers need a pragmatic approach to the culture of clients that is flexible enough to take multiple scenarios into account.

Combination of thoughts, feelings, attitudes, beliefs, values and behavior patterns

National Regional Japanese, Mexican, French, U. S, American Southern U National Regional Japanese, Mexican, French, U.S, American Southern U.S., East Coast, West, Midwest Ethnic Socioeconomic class German, Irish, Dutch, Jamaican, Mexican Rich/Poor, need Gender Education level Male/ Female cultural based expectations Illiterate, Ph.D., etc within ethnic groups Religion Age Jewish, Muslim, Christian, etc. Generation X, baby boomers, etc. Physical Ability Departmental/Professional Deaf, Blind, Wheel chair users, asthma, etc. Mission, H.R., Student Life, Faculty Organizational Business, Academia, Social Services, etc.

Why is the ability to recognize and work across differences important? Global Awareness (readiness, responsibility) Demographic Power and privilege Needs of others Understand who we are Build effective teams

What have you heard? Who says it? Where do such things come from? Angry Musical Athletic Not intelligent Criminal Poor/Welfare Dangerous Chip-on-shoulder Others?

What do folks say about other groups? Where do these ideas come from? Latino Asian Native American Muslim Minnesotans

Is it real, or is it a stereotype?

Keep in mind… Remember, diversity is not a goal We don’t know what we don’t know Flip the lens It’s OK to make mistakes Understanding/sincerity vs. Political correctness Embrace the tension Awareness

Intercultural Education Program Specialist Want to learn more? Sandra Mitchell Intercultural Education Program Specialist CFANS odicfans@umn.edu

Thank You!