Well-meaning people can unintentionally create isolation, inequities and even harm to those who are different from themselves, according to Howard Ross, leading social justice advocate and influential expert on identifying and addressing unconscious bias.
Ross, founder of Cook Ross and best-selling author, was the keynote speaker on Tuesday, Oct. 15 during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s second annual Diversity Day. The two-day event, under the theme “From Awareness to Action, SIUE Shaping a Changing World,” included artistic offerings, music, presentations, exhibits, guest speakers and a parade of nations.
Alton and East St. Louis campuses also participated in Diversity Day. The SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) featured keynote speaker Jennifer Hernandez, PhD, associate professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). Hernandez delivered the address: “Commercializing Culture: Culture Out of Context.”
At the SIUE East St. Louis Center, J.T. Snipes, PhD, assistant professor in the SEHHB, facilitated a conversation on the Netflix miniseries, “When They See Us,” created, co-written and directed by Ava DuVernay. Gina Jeffries, EdD, director of the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School, and Keith Ware, EdD, director of the SIUE Upward Bound Program, coordinated the discussion.
“Diversity Day is one of those times when SIUE is at its best, and we can show the world our great, vibrant and diverse University community,” said Venessa A. Brown, PhD, associate chancellor for the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and chief diversity officer. “This year was our first Parade of Nations, where SIUE students represented 49 countries in their native attire and flags. I like to think of SIUE as the United Nations of southern Illinois.”
“With today’s events, we look forward to the chance to reflect and rededicate ourselves to an institution that has an appreciation and a great love for the differences between us,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, “rather than the concerns about the differences between us.”
“I’ve done this work since I was 15, and I’m encouraged by history,” said Ross. “We know that it can be two steps forward, and one step back, and clearly we have taken one step back and are dealing with a backlash reaction.”
“I have no doubt that in the long run, as Dr. (Martin Luther) King (Jr.) said, the arc of history bends toward freedom,” continued Ross. “We will keep doing our work and invite people into the conversation. We will speak out when there is something done offensively, but we need to be careful about associating everybody on the other side of us as uniformly bad.”
Ross gave the audience a practical suggestion on connecting with those with whom you disagree or do not identify – take “the other” to lunch:
- Do not persuade, defend or interrupt. Be courteous, authentic and listen
- Ask such questions as “What are some of your life experiences that have led you to feel the way you do? What issues deeply concern you? What have you always wanted to ask someone from the other side?”
“One of the things I truly enjoy about this day is our level of commitment regarding diversity and inclusion at SIUE,” said Pembrook. “I’m reminded of one of the things Dr. King said, which is ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ So whatever spirit that is in this room, let’s keep it going for the next 365 days until we get to the third annual Diversity Day at SIUE.”
Following the luncheon, Ross held a book signing with copies of his new book Our Search for Belonging: How the Need for Connection is Tearing Our Culture Apart available for purchase. Ross has also authored the Washington Post best seller, Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives, published by Rowman and Littlefield in 2014; and ReInventing Diversity: Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen People, Purpose and Performance, published by Rowman and Littlefield in conjunction with SHRM in 2011.
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Howard Ross, leading social justice advocate and influential expert on identifying and addressing unconscious bias, was the keynote speaker at SIUE’s second annual Diversity Day.
SIUE incorporated the Parade of Nations for the first time during its second annual Diversity Day.
J.T. Snipes, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, facilitated a conversation on the Netflix miniseries, “When They See Us,” created, co-written and directed by Ava DuVernay.
Participating in the “When They See Us” discussion included students from the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School and the SIUE Upward Bound Program.