What |
Time (approx.) |
Who |
Hello and norming the space |
5 minutes |
Tessa |
Viewing of short video to establish relevant background information |
5-15 minutes |
YouTube, TedTalk, etc. |
Open discussion- we will try to focus on the DEI topic at hand, but if we get off on other DEI tangents, that is okay too. |
5- 40 minutes (or as long as it takes, but we will always end at the hour) |
All |
Closing and reflection |
5 minutes |
Tessa |
This is NOT a presentation or a workshop, and although no one is required to participate, if there is a lack of discussion or engagement, the session will end for that day (no judgment). I will not have a lesson plan or a PowerPoint (other than the one used for norming the space), and I will not be giving any direct instruction. I will do my best to answer any questions that are directly asked of me, but sometimes I might not have the answer either.
Additional Norms:
- Come with an open mind and as a leaner- none of us are experts in this space
- Call each other “in” not “out” (or be curious, not judgmental)
- Ask for more information
- Disarms from defensiveness and allows thinking about the impact of words
- “Could you say more about what you mean by that”?
- “How have you come to think that?”
- Separate intent from impact and offer an alternative
- “I know you didn’t realize this, but when you ___________________ (comment/behavior), it was hurtful/offensive because __________________ (reason). Instead, you could have_________________ (different language or behavior.)”
- Challenge the stereotype
- “Actually, in my experience ________________________.”
- “That sounds like a stereotype. Is that what you mean?”
- “Another way to look at it is________________________.”
- Vegas rules
- Be kind
- Be respectful
- Be brave (see “Brave Spaces”)
- Share the space- please be aware of how much time you spend talking, and if you love to talk (like I do), please be intentional about giving others space to talk as well
- Practice cultural humility- Understanding the complexity of identities. That even in sameness, there is difference, and we should never assume to understand another’s background and culture, nor that those with similar social identities have the same thoughts, ideas, beliefs, or backgrounds.
- Use the platinum rule- treat others as they want to be treated
- If no one has shown up within the first 15 minutes, the session will be ended