Inclusive Conversations by
"What is impressive is not only how Winters builds a case for the urgency and need for bold, inclusive conversations but that she also gives specific strategies and competencies to turn her theory into practice." --Dr. Sheila Robinson, publisher and CEO, Diversity Woman Media Effective dialogue across different dimensions of diversity, such as race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation, fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion, which in turn leads to greater productivity, performance, and innovation. Whether in the workplace, faith communities, or educational settings, our differences can tear us apart rather than bring us together if we do not know how to communicate. Recognizing our collective responsibility to earnestly address our differences and increase understanding and empathy will not only enhance organizational goals but will also lead to a healthier, kinder, and more compassionate world. Award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant Mary-Frances Winters has been leading workshops on what she calls Bold, Inclusive Conversations for years. In this book she offers specific dialogue strategies to foster greater understanding on the following topics: * Recognizing the importance of creating equity and sharing power * Dealing with the "fragility" of dominant groups--their discomfort in engaging with historically subordinated groups * Addressing the exhaustion historically marginalized groups feel from constantly explaining their different lived experience * Exploring how to build trust and create psychologically safe spaces for dialogue This guide is comprehensive for anyone who wants to break down the barriers that separate us and facilitate discussions on potentially polarizing topics.
On Being Included by
What does diversity do? What are we doing when we use the language of diversity? Sara Ahmed offers an account of the diversity world based on interviews with diversity practitioners in higher education, as well as her own experience of doing diversity work. Diversity is an ordinary, even unremarkable, feature of institutional life. Yet diversity practitioners often experience institutions as resistant to their work, as captured through their use of the metaphor of the "brick wall." On Being Included offers an explanation of this apparent paradox. It explores the gap between symbolic commitments to diversity and the experience of those who embody diversity. Commitments to diversity are understood as "non-performatives" that do not bring about what they name. The book provides an account of institutional whiteness and shows how racism can be obscured by the institutionalization of diversity. Diversity is used as evidence that institutions do not have a problem with racism. On Being Included offers a critique of what happens when diversity is offered as a solution. It also shows how diversity workers generate knowledge of institutions in attempting to transform them.
Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence by
Turn Uncomfortable Conversations into Meaningful Dialogue If you believe that talking about race is impolite, or that "colorblindness" is the preferred approach, you must read this book. Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence debunks the most pervasive myths using evidence, easy-to-understand examples, and practical tools. This significant work answers all your questions about discussing race by covering: Characteristics of typical, unproductive conversations on race Tacit and explicit social rules related to talking about racial issues Race-specific difficulties and misconceptions regarding race talk Concrete advice for educators and parents on approaching race in a new way "His insistence on the need to press through resistance to have difficult conversations about race is a helpful corrective for a society that prefers to remain silent about these issues." --Christopher Wells, Vice President for Student Life at DePauw University "In a Canadian context, the work of Dr. Derald Wing Sue in Race Talk: and the Conspiracy of Silence is the type of material needed to engage a populace that is often described as 'Too Polite.' The accessible material lets individuals engage in difficult conversations about race and racism in ways that make the uncomfortable topics less threatening, resulting in a true 'dialogue' rather than a debate." --Darrell Bowden, M Ed. Education and Awareness Coordinator, Ryerson University "He offers those of us who work in the Diversity and Inclusion space practical tools for generating productive dialogues that transcend the limiting constraints of assumptions about race and identity." --Rania Sanford, Ed.D. Associate Chancellor for Strategic Affairs and Diversity, Stanford University "Sue's book is a must-read for any parent, teacher, professor, practioner, trainer, and facilitator who seeks to learn, understand, and advance difficult dialogues about issues of race in classrooms, workplaces, and boardrooms. It is a book of empowerment for activists, allies, or advocates who want to be instruments of change and to help move America from silence and inaction to discussion, engagement, and action on issues of difference and diversity. Integrating real life examples of difficult dialogues that incorporate the range of human emotions, Sue provides a masterful illustration of the complexities of dialogues about race in America. More importantly, he provides a toolkit for those who seek to undertake the courageous journey of understanding and facilitating difficult conversations about race." --Menah Pratt-Clarke, JD, PhD, Associate Provost for Diversity, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
We Can't Talk about That at Work! by
Instead of shutting down any mention of taboo topics, Mary-Frances Winters shows how to structure intentional conversations about them, so people can safely confront biases and stereotypes and create stronger, more inclusive organizations. Politics, religion, race - we can't talk about topics like these at work, right? But in fact, these conversations are happening all the time, either in real life or virtually via social media. And if they aren't handled effectively, they can become more polarizing and divisive, impacting productivity, engagement, retention, teamwork, and even employees' sense of safety in the workplace. But you can turn that around and address difficult topics in a way that brings people together instead of driving them apart. As a thought leader in the field of diversity and inclusion, Mary-Frances Winters has been helping clients create inclusive environments for over three decades. In this concise and powerful book, she shows you how to lay the groundwork for having bold, inclusive conversations. Even with the best of intentions, you can't just start talking about taboo topics - that's wandering into a minefield. Winters offers exercises and tools to help you become aware of how your cultural background has shaped your perceptions and habits and to increase your understanding of how people from other cultures may differ from you, particularly when it comes to communicating and handling conflict. Once you're ready (you can take the self-assessment included in the book to make sure), Winters gives detailed instructions on exactly how to structure these conversations. She emphasizes that this is a process, not a destination--you may not be able to resolve major issues nicely and neatly in just one conversation. And while the process is important, so is intent. She urges readers to "come from your heart, learn from your mistakes, and continue to contribute to making this a more inclusive world for all."
In support of the President's Task Force for Advancing the Citadel's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, the Daniel Library and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council propose to initiate a campus-wide diversity reading program. The purpose of the program is to expand knowledge, understanding, and respect of diverse groups of people through shared reading and discussions. Diversity is defined broadly and includes those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, ages, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds, among other dimensions.
Through shared readings and small group discussions, we hope to uncover biases and begin to reflect on and reduce conflicts toward and between diverse people. Readings will be chosen with the intent of supporting The Citadel's mission to educate principled leaders by offering insights about the many ways that diverse populations contribute to the success of our democratic society
The Diversity Reading Program will be managed by librarian and others. Individual members will be responsible for obtaining their own copies of the selected reading. Possible options to access titles include: the library, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.
We propose that one book per semester will be chosen for discussion. Meetings will be scheduled for small discussions
Participants will be encouraged to discuss topics on their own and/or use recommended discussion questions (provided by program managers) to guide their inquiry.
A Diversity Reading Program Guide hosted on the library website includes book lists and resources for furthering knowledge and discussion.
All campus employees and students, particularly Veteran and CGS students will be encouraged to participate in the reading program.
Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do (2011) by Claude M. Steele
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People (2013) by Mahzarin R. Banaji
Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America (2015) by Jill Leovy
The Other Wes Moore (2011) by Wes Moore
Aristotle and Dante (2012) by Benjamin Alire Saenz
A Distant Shore (2007) by Caryl Phillips
Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration (2010) by Isabel Wilkerson
A Hope in the Unseen (1999) by Ron Suskin
The New Jim Crow (2012) by Michelle Alexander and Cornel West