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Foundations of Equity & Respect

The Workbook

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Leah has been providing tools and skills related to diversity, respect, and inclusion for over 20 years. She has impacted children through adults in her work in classrooms, educational systems, government agencies, business, and community-based organizations. Wherever she goes, she leaves in her wake those who deeply appreciate her manner of delivery, mastery of content, and synthesis of information in ways that allow access and encourage people to think.

Leah’s deep passion is driven by her life experience and belief in the holy person within us all.

She holds a BA in psychology, M.Ed. in Education/Special Education, and an almost PhD in Educational Leadership & Administration. She also holds an honorary degree from the School Hard Knocks and Rise Above University. ;-)

About the Author

Leah R. Kyaio, M.Ed.Founder/CEO of With Respect LLC

@LeahKyaio @LeahKyaio

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Vocabulary & the Power of Language

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GlossaryCULTURE. “Culture is who we are and who we are becoming. It is the food we put on the table, the way we cook it, the utensils in which we eat it, the relations between the people who sit at the table and the people who cook and serve, what is done with the leftovers, what is discussed during the meal, what music, dancing, poetry or theatre accompany it, and the social and spiritual values of those present - for when we say culture, we include the visions, dreams, and aspirations of humanity.” (“The Power of the Word: Culture, Censorship and Voice.” Women’s World, 1995)

DISCRIMINATION. An ACT. A failure to view all persons equally where no reasonable distinction can be found between those favored and those not favored (Blacks Law Dictionary). A showing of partiality or prejudice in treatment; specific policies or actions directed against the welfare of a group.

DIVERSITY. The uniqueness of individuality that is used to group people together; race, ethnicity, age, ability, gender, gender identity, socio-economic status, sexual preference, physical appearance, religious perspective, political ideology, learning style, communication style, life experience… It is important to avoid dividing people based on diversity. Instead, celebrate the strengths and opportunities that each brings to the table and use those strengths to build a community where everyone feels and knows they are welcome, equal, respected, and belong.

EXPLICIT BIAS: Prejudice – A PRE-JUDGEMENT based on myth, missing information

IMPLICIT BIAS: hard-wired systems that are designed as our risk assessment. They are attitudes, beliefs, or assumptions that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner including favorable or unfavorable perspectives activated involuntarily without intentional control that become pervasive, distinct mental constructs that are malleable and acted on without awareness. They interfere in our lives when they don’t align with our self-identification or desires in our behavior or beliefs.

MICROAGGRESSION. A small act or remark that makes someone feel insulted or treated badly because of their race, sex, etc., even though the insult may not have been intended, and that can combine with other similar acts or remarks over time to cause emotional harm.

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Glossary continuedOPPRESSION. A system of structured dis-equality where the goods, services, rewards, privileges and benefits of the society are available to individuals according to their presumed membership in social identity groups. This system of dis-equality or dis-equal allocation of resources is supported and reinforced by the power structure (money, military, police, etc.) of the society. (Barbara J. Love, 1994. “Understanding Internalized Oppression.”)

The root of the word ‘oppression’ is the element “press.” The press of the crowd; pressed into military service; press a pair of pants; press the button. Presses are used to mold things or flatten them or reduce them in bulk, sometimes to reduce them by squeezing out the gasses or liquids in them. Sometimes pressed is something caught between or among forces and barriers which are so related to each other that jointly they restrain, restrict, or prevent the thing’s motion or mobility. Mold. Immobilize. Reduce.

The experience of oppressed people is that of the living of one’s life is confined and shaped by forces and barriers which are not accidental or occasional and hence avoidable, but are systemically related to each other in such a way as to catch one between and among them and restrict and penalize motion in any direction. It is the experience of being caged in: all avenues, in every direction are blocked or booby trapped. (Marilyn Frye. “Oppression.” The Politics of Reality, 1983)Prejudice + Discrimination + Power = Oppression

PRIVILEGE. CHOICES, ENTITLEMENTS, ADVANTAGES, BENEFITS, ASSUMPTIONS, AND EXPECTATIONS granted based on membership in the culturally dominant group. Privilege group membership is usually determined at birth: white child, male child, child born into economic security, child born without a disability, etc. It includes the privileges granted by society, as well as the assumptions and expectations internalized by people in the privileged group.

PREJUDICE. A PRE-JUDGEMENT based on myth, missing information

RACISM. Oppression (prejudice + discrimination + power) based on the variation of skin color from the dominant culture. It is the assumed superiority that grants the right to dominate - exclude, discriminate against, abuse, hate, killNOTE: any form of oppression - classism, heterosexism, sexism, et al, can be substituted. (Adapted from the work of Audrey Lorde)

STEREOTYPE. A GENERALIZATION imposed on an entire group ( ALL Puerto Ricans or ALL teenage girls, ALL Jews) based on a real or perceived characteristic of some individual belonging to that group, or based on a cultural norm which has been distorted, or based on a myth or total misunderstanding of the group/ethnicity/culture.

TARGET. Another term for marginalized populations or minorities.

Reflecting on What I’ve Learned:

Vocabulary & The Power of Language

What was the most important thing you want to remember about the vocabulary we outlined during this lesson?

What are the ways in which language is commonly used that has negative impacts?

What tool can you use to begin consciously changing how you use language?

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Reflecting on What I’ve Learned:

The Cage of Oppression

Remember, the Cage of Oppression is the 30,000 foot view – it shows us the system we inherited. Why is this visual tool useful in understanding that concept?

Where are you “in the Cage”? Do you recognize your experience of privilege and your experience of target? What does this do for you?

Explain the “no blame - no shame” model that the Cage of Oppression helps us to understand.

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Implicit Bias

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©University of Louisville 2019

Reflecting on What I’ve Learned:

Implicit Bias

How does the understanding that the human brain is hard-wired for bias influence your perspective of implicit bias?

Recognizing that harmful implicit bias can be challenged and changed only through our interactions with one another and willingness to call forward the language, comments, and behavior that reflect it, who is your safe social network in which to practice this learning?

What about microaggressions? What have you learned and why is it important?

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Educating ourselves is THE most POWERFUL tool we have to being able to recognize and change the things that aren’t working in ourselves, our organizations, and our communities. You have taken the first step.

But now what?

Now that you’re a member of the With Respect Crew, you have access to the continually growing

courses and learning opportunities offered right here, on your dashboard.

Additionally, With Respect offers a variety of professional development services to help you

continue forward in this important work. https://with-respect.com/respect-diversity-training/

https://with-respect.com

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Just the Beginning