The Dynamics of Difference COMPETENCY AND SENSITIVITY AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONAL CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Session Ground Rules  Understand that we are all experts in our own experiences.  Respect others experiences, values and opinions.  Be non-judgmental.  Say OUCH and then Educate.  Take Risks  Have a Little Fun  Expect unfinished business CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Learning …… “You suddenly understand something you have understood all your life, but in a whole new way. That is what learning is.” Doris Lessing – Persian Author CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

What is Diversity?  Ethnic Group, Race, Color  Country of Origin or Nationality  Gender  Religion  Age  Mental/Physical Ability  Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Transgender  Family/Marital Status CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

What Else Is Diversity? Level of Education Experience Socio Economic Status Size Politics Geography Address Language Acculturation CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Diversity Many people see diversity as a lightning rod for conflict. Our goal is to enhance the communication and collaboration skills of all team members who come to the workplace with a diversity of perspectives and world views. CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

How we interact with others….. Is determined in large part by how we see the world, how we see ourselves, and how we see others who are different from ourselves…. CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Demographic Data State of Florida White 57% Black 16.6% Hispanic 23.2% Asian 2.7% 2 or more races 1.9% CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Demographic Data State of Florida Male 48.9% Female 51.1% Foreign Born 19.3% Language other 27.3% Than English at home CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Law Enforcement & The Community CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

In The News CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

What is Culture A community’s shared set of norms, practices, beliefs, values, traditions, customs, and means of expression….among other things CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Culture Determines….. …….How we communicate, analyze, judge and interpret information It also determines our behavior, responses and reactions CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Culture frames our view of the world…..It is divided in Surface Culture and Deep Culture SURFACE CULTURE  Food  Attire/Appearance  Holidays  Arts  Heroes  Folklore/Superstitions DEEP CULTURE  Ceremonies & Rites  Courtship & Marriage  Health & Medicine  Family Ties  Body Language  Religion – Values – Beliefs  Gender Roles CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Cultural Competency defined An individual or organization with the appropriate awareness, attitudes, behaviors, and skills to interact effectively with members of diverse populations. CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Cultural Competency Is the ability to function effectively within the existence of cultural differences. Requires a willingness to be open to the expectations and realities of various cultures. CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Five Elements of Cultural Competency  Awareness of your own culture  Understanding the dynamics of difference  Awareness and acceptance of difference  Development of cultural knowledge CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Culture impacts…  Learning  Problem-solving  Verbal and nonverbal communication  Displays of emotion  Dealing with conflict Culture impacts… CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

The Impact of Personal Culture on Communications  The Power of Words  Language and Communication style issues  Non Verbal Communication  Biases against the Unfamiliar  Personal Values in Conflict  Assumption the Everybody Knows the “Rules” CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

This dimension of culture can be seen as an iceberg with the tip sticking above the water level of conscious awareness. By far, the most significant part, however, is unconscious or below the water level of awareness and includes values and thought patterns.” (Hall 1976) CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Implicit Bias……. Is a preference (positive or negative) for a group based on a stereotype or attitudes we hold and that tends to develop early in life. Implicit bias operates outside of human awareness and can be understood as a lens through which a person views the world and that automatically filters how a person takes in and acts in regard to information. CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Implicit bias operates at each and every decision point as a person enters, moves through, and exits the criminal justice system. For example, implicit bias can impact actions resulting from an observation of an act that is ultimately interpreted as shoplifting: a decision of whether to call parents or police, a decision to charge or arrest, a decision about detention or diversion, and other decisions all the way through adjudication and sentencing. CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Implicit biases can be changed  Motivation to be Fair  Environment  Exposure to Counter-Typical Examples  Procedural Changes CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

How they see you The Uniform…. …….The Badge CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Career Culture  Police Officers  Corrections  Probations  Lawyers – Prosecutors/Defense  Judges  Witnesses  Jurors Add to this the victims and defendants….. CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Cultural Bumps As a result of personal interaction, you can be left: Confused Frustrated Angry Misunderstood Helpless Hopeless CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Culturally Competent Interaction Skills Personal Awareness of your own culture and values Respect for other’s culture and values Awareness of ways in which personal bias (implicit or explicit) may effect interactions Understanding the dynamics of difference Awareness and acceptance of differences Flexibility and ability to adapt to differences Development of cultural knowledge CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Institutional Barriers CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Cultural Competency “To be culturally competent doesn’t mean you are an authority in the values and the beliefs of every culture. What it means is that you hold a deep respect for cultural differences and are eager to learn, and willing to accept that there are many ways of viewing the world.” Okokon O. Uda CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Assumptions “At least half of the exercise I get everyday comes from jumping to conclusions.” Bruce Dexter Journalist CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Key Learning The more accurate information we have about others, the more likely we will be able to respond with respect and understanding The more familiar we are, the more comfortable we become. And with comfort and time, comes trust resulting in effective communications CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Our challenge… Transformation of Self – examine attitudes and behaviors that are rooted in culture; consciously work on developing intercultural competence-- including awareness of and knowledge about specific cultures and exceptionalities; and understand there are many ways of viewing the world! CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES

Thank You For Your Participation !!! Barbara I. Cheives Converge & Associates Consulting 1977 Brandywine Rd. Suite 203 West Palm Beach, FL (office) (cellular) CONVERGE & ASSOCIATES