13 - Diversity and Inclusion

Exploring Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity:

• Diversity is a difference in social and cultural identities
• It also can be a source of misunderstanding or suspicion

Inclusion:

• Inclusion is the achievement of an environment in which people feel they belong and are treated fairly and respectfully

Exploring Diversity and Inclusion

Ethnicity, culture, race, and religion:

• Ethnicity is an identity assigned to a specific group of people historically connected by a common national origin or language
• Example: Latinx, Eastern European
• Culture refers to aspects of a group of people that are passed on or learned
• Examples: traditions, food, language, beliefs
• Race refers to shared biological characteristics
• Religion is a specific, fundamental set of beliefs and practices

Other differences you will encounter in college:

• Age
• Sex, gender, and sexual orientation
• Economic status
• Learning and physical challenges

Bias, Stereotyping, and Microaggressions

• Bias is an inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group
• A stereotype is a generalization that is used to describe or distinguish a group
• Microaggressions are subtle but offensive comments that reinforce stereotypes of minority populations

Overcoming Discrimination, Prejudice, and Insensitivity on College Campuses

Biases:

• Tendencies against or in favor of certain groups or value systems
• What we do with individual beliefs that separates an unbiased and open-minded person from the racist, the bigot, and the extremist

Hate crimes:

• Crimes motivated by prejudice
• Include physical assault, vandalism, and intimidation

Raising Awareness

• Students often protest hate crimes when they occur on campus
• Some crimes occur out of a lack of common sense
• Ill-considered party themes
• Mascots based on ethnic and cultural caricatures

What You Can Do to Stand for Inclusion on Campus

• Become involved in making your campus safe
• Work with existing campus services to plan and host training sessions, workshops, and symposiums
• Look into the anti-discrimination measures your college has in place

Expanding Your Worldview

Benefits:

• Better relationships
• Greater sense of empathy and understanding
• Increased employment opportunities
• Richer, fuller life

Embracing Diversity in College

• Many institutions offer an inclusive curriculum
• Courses introduce students to diverse people, worldviews and approaches
• College students have led the movement for an inclusive curriculum
• Courses with a multicultural focus provide new perspectives and understandings

Study abroad programs:

• Great way to expand your horizons, learn about another culture, and become competent speaking another language

Student-run organizations:

• Can provide multiple avenues to express ideas, pursue interests, and cultivate relationships

Career/major groups:

• Groups that focus on a specific field of study

Political/activist organizations:

• Provide debating events and forums and contribute diverse ideas on current issues and events

Special-interest groups:

• Largest subgroup of student organizations

Embracing Diversity in the Workplace

• The workforce is also diverse
• Expanding your worldview in college prepares you to work successfully with others in any field
• Prejudice reduces your ability to be productive and achieve workplace goals
• Challenge yourself to learn about various groups
• Attend events and celebrations sponsored by other groups
• Incorporate people from different cultures to your inner circle of friends
• Travel

Tech Tip: Go beyond the Filter

• The filter bubble hides new information from us
• Online experiences are continually shaped by our past searches, likes, and preferences, causing us to miss all kinds of information
• Push back on the filter bubble
• Join clubs or student groups
• Find ways to be of use by volunteering or interning
• Use sites other than Google and YouTube
• Expand your world