1. White Affinity Groups: Fostering Allyship NOT Guilt
The following presentation should be used on the first day of introducing white affinity groups to the class as the following provides a general overview of past organizational diversity initiatives, what an affinity group is, how white affinity groups differ from people of color, as well as classroom discussion norms.
Additionally, the presentation provides several videos for analysis and discussion questions throughout several of the slides (see notes section for each).

2. Agenda Classroom Norms Affinity Groups White Affinity Groups
Definition
Types
Goals
White Affinity Groups
What they are NOT
Challenges
Benefits
Group Norms
Discussion

3. Classroom Norms Avoid walking on egg shells
Be respectful of one another
Judgment free zone (varying entry points)
Embrace discomfort
Take action
Transition: Begin with what classroom norms you want as a result of this discussion today (I’ve included a few here however ask the class if there are others they’d like to add).
Avoid walking on egg shells: if you have a thought or opinion, state it (there will be no repercussions) however please be respectful of one another
Respect: not everyone is going to share the same outlook or be at the same stage of racial development
-some have been on the journey of exploring ones privileges for years whereas others are still learning the basic definitions about privilege and racism Embrace discomfort: Your views will likely be challenged or learning about unearned privileges may make you feel uncomfortable…AND that’s okay, it’s the point
Take action: it is not enough to merely learn from this presentation, rather what steps towards allyship will you take when walking out of the library today

4. Identity Markers
Please take a minute to write down 3 words that best describe your identity
Tell the class, we will revisit these identities later in the presentation (however encourage them to keep them out and visible).

5. Organizational Diversity Efforts
Transition: Lets take a look at a few recent organizational diversity efforts
Starbucks in 2014 began a campaign titled RaceTogether or RaceConversations
-the campaign encouraged Starbuck employees to have discussions with patrons or those enjoying a coffee at starbucks to discuss topics such as race. Starbucks even provided conversation starters (as you can see in the photo)/ some of these conversation starters include (I have eaten a meal with someone of a different race ___ times in the past year)
ASK class: What may be particularly problematic about this diversity initiative?
-encourages surface level discussions/ how can one discuss race in the time it takes to make your latte
Now let’s take a look at an even more recent commercial from Pepsi (show commercial…ask class: why did this diversity effort fall short?)
Pepsi stated that their intention was to bring together a contested relationship however what ended up happening is using an issue Black Lives Matter to sell sugar water

6. Affinity Groups
Affinity groups consist of individuals or employees sharing a common characteristic, trait, or interest discussing issues of shared identity (Segal, 2013).
Types: Racial or Nonracial
Homogeneous
Heterogeneous
Goals:
Descriptive (emotion)
Instrumental (actions)
Transition: Other diversity efforts that have received much less attention, yet are gaining traction in both for and non-for profit organizations are affinity groups.
These groups can be race-based: black, biracial, American pacific islander, white, Latin/x
Non race based: LGBTQ, Christian, atheist, parent, military members, etc.
Homogeneous: all attendees must identify with the shared identity characteristic (for instance, if you are in a black affinity group, you cannot be in the group If you identify as white)
Heterogeneous: inclusion of those with the shared identity characteristic in addition to allies (those who want to advocate for the identity being discussed…not waning to learn from others)
Emotional goal: affinity groups can be an emotional outlet on topics that are not readily discussed in the workplace…I received on my student evals that a student was uncomfortable when I mentioned my wife in class (this comment was hurtful and to be quite honest, made me feel alone), having a group that may share those same experiences provides a level of comfort
Instrumental: Instrumental goals align with a one of the conditions from the contact hypothesis which is that discussions should have the ability to extend beyond the immediate discussion
-for instance, if there was no same-sex benefits, those in the group should discuss strategies to take action
-instrumental can also mean resources (someone may not be familiar with resources available to them within the organization)
See two additional resources for instrumental purposes of affinity groups
Segal, J. A. (2013). Affinity group danger zones. HR Magazine, 58(9),
Segal, J. A. (2012, January 10). “Boys’ Club: The invisible affinity group.” Bloomberg Business. Retrieved from:

7. Cal Poly Affinity Groups
Reference your 3 identity markers reported earlier
Cal Poly is giving you the opportunity to attend an affinity group on campus during class (once a month) however you can only choose one affinity group (one identity) to attend.
What identity would you choose?
Was it difficult to select only one?
Transition: Many organizations lack the time/resources to provide affinity groups for all identities, which can create challenges when entering a space, you may not prioritize as an important element of your identity, yet it is the only one available.
Discussion Questions:
Why did you choose this group over your other social identities?
How does it make you feel when there are many people in the group?
How does it make you feel when there are few (or you are the only one?)
Was there a reluctance to attend the white affinity group?

8. Challenges of Affinity Groups
Not offered during the work day
Difficult to select ONE to attend
Not enough members to identify as a group
Avoid having multiple statuses in one affinity group space
Need to have a skilled facilitator to guide discussions
Intersectionality
Perceptions that White affinity groups = guilt
Transitions: Affinity groups as we’ve seen are not without their challenges
-discuss other challenges students foresee

9. White Affinity Groups What white affinity groups are NOT
Transition: In many organizations, there is a reluctance to ONE provide, and TWO attend a white affinity group…this reluctance often stems from associating white affinity groups with what they are NOT...thus lets address those concerns right now.
What a white affinity group is NOT: A white affinity group is not the KKK nor is it a white savior movement
-ASK CLASS: can anyone tell me what a white savior is?
-before you do, I want you to consider the following movie trailer (how does this represent a white savior and think of other movies that perpetuate this complex.
Reluctance: may believe it to be a KKK, neo nazi, white celebratory groups, may foster guilt
Reference for White savior complex

10. White Affinity Groups Continued
Purpose: Allyship NOT guilt
Allyship is not an identity—it is a lifelong process of building relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with marginalized individuals and/or groups of people. allyship is not self-defined—our work and our efforts must be recognized by the people we seek to ally ourselves with (The Anti-Oppression Network).
Meeting Agenda:
Introductions, clarification of group norms, personal remarks/ experiences
Potential topics:
giving up privilege; avoiding collaboration with institutional racism; talking to family members about race; and mentoring for anti-racism
Transition: Now that we know what a white affinity groups is NOT, lets discuss what it is
Reluctance: may believe it to be a KKK, neo nazi, white celebratory groups, may foster guilt
Agenda of white affinity groups:
-discuss a book on white privilege
e.g. “But that’s just good teaching” (Gloria Ladson billings) –cultural relevant pedagogy
-watch a documentary and discuss
e.g. ”white like me” (Tim Wise) or “The interrupters” (Cure Violence)
-practice talking about race (AND making errors)
-Avoid collaborating with institutional racism:
e.g. National communication association (CA prohibiting funding for conference)
e.g. Tommy Hilfiger (wearing clothes), voting for representatives who are racists because you like their economic policies

11. Benefits of White Affinity Groups
Michael, A., & Conger, M. C. (2009). Becoming an anti-racist white ally: How a white affinity group can help. Perspectives on Urban Education, 1,
1.) Provides a resource for white people
2.) Offering a 4th path to Beverly Tatum’s various white identities:
1.) The overtly racist person
2.) The guilty white person
3.) The colorblind
**4.) White anti-racist ally
3.) Group is a symbol to people of color
1.) too often, classroom spaces do not discuss whiteness as an identity or how the white race has influenced that particular field…affinity groups provide the space to discuss ths
-place to share frustrations, anger, guilt
2.) overtly racist (KKK, neo nazi, Jeff sessions, etc), the guilty (who says things such as I hate white people), the colorblind (do not believe there to be any differences or fail to recognize how these differences privilege white people)
White anti-racist (one who actively seeks to combat racism in society)
3.) Not of appreciation or needing thanks, rather shows other racial affinity groups that there are allies on campus and if needed can help with activism (using our privilege to help those)

12. White Affinity Group Norms
Michael, A., & Conger, M. C. (2009). Becoming an anti-racist white ally: How a white affinity group can help. Perspectives on Urban Education, 1,
7 Norms of WSCR (White Students Confronting Racism)
1.) Respect confidentiality
2.) Speak from the “I” perspective
3.) Listen to each other
4.) Embrace discomfort
5.) Monitor your participation
6.) None of us are experts- be open, avoid judgment
7.) Focus on whiteness as a racial category

13. Discussion
Are you willing to start or join a white affinity group? Why or why not?
What challenges do you foresee in starting a white affinity group at Cal Poly?

14. Thank you
Include your name on the sign-up sheet if you want a copy of this presentation TAKE ACTION!

15. References
Cole, T. (2012, March 21). The white savior industrial complex. The Atlantic. Retrieved from industrial-complex/254843/
Michael, A., & Conger, M. C. (2009). Becoming an anti-racist white ally: How a white affinity group can help. Perspectives on Urban Education, 1,
Segal, J. A. (2013). Affinity group danger zones. HR Magazine, 58(9),
Segal, J. A. (2012, January 10). “Boys’ Club: The invisible affinity group.” Bloomberg Business. Retrieved from: groups html