trouble with diversity
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April 10, 2023 1
Toronto
Jude Tate, Christopher Collins Trouble With Diversity
The New Yorker, September 2001
“In the interest of diversity, we’ve hired Jason here, who owns a couple of hip-hop cds.”
Toronto
Jude Tate & Christopher Collins
University of Toronto
June 5, 2005
The Trouble with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
New U 2005: University of Torontotrouble… I thought U of T supported diversity?
They think diversity is a problem and
they’re queer!
Yeah! Out with
everyone not like me! They cause
trouble!
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Introduction
• We assume you know and support the basic concepts of inclusion, diversity, equity…
• But what are the troubles encountered in implementing policies of inclusion and including equity in daily practice
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Qualities for Supporting Diversity
• Commitment to learning
• Vision
• Tolerance to criticism
within and outside organization
• Time and dedication
• A variety of skill sets
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Trouble #1: Building the Skills
• Leadership: the learned knowledge of how to promote equity through leadership
• Attentiveness: listen for the unsaid (gauge the climate) in your group and address problems early
• Courage: speak up in support of marginalized groups (even if you aren’t a member!)
• Perseverance: experience of trial and error
• Overcoming Apathy: dealing with fellow students’ (allies) reluctance to assist or their inexperience
• Conflict Resolution: dealing with actions that bring about an atmosphere of exclusion
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Trouble #2: Being an Ally
• Discussion activity
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Trouble #2: Being an Ally
• “I support the need for prayer space for the Muslim Students’ Association, but they better not take it from my group! How do I express my concerns tactfully?”
• “I’m appalled at the lack of accessibility at my group’s events, but I don’t have a disability or know the language… how can I bring up the problem?”
• “I know my group isn’t welcoming for LGBTQ students… I’m straight and I know there are gay students who haven’t raised this issue – should I wait for them to deal with this? Will there be consequences for me? For the gay students?”
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Characteristics of an Ally
• Has worked to develop an understanding of what oppression is and the needs of the target group
• Chooses to align with the target group and respond to their needs, after understanding the situation
• Believes that it is her/his self-interest to be an ally
• Expects support from other allies
• Expects to make some mistakes but does not use it as an excuse for non-action
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Characteristics of an Ally
• Recognizes that in most empowered relationships, persons in the non-target role initiate change (Allies are pivotal to change processes)
• Promotes a sense of community with the target group and teaches others about the importance of outreach
• Works from a place of understanding, responsibility for one’s actions, and empowerment; not from a place of guilt
• Assumes that the target group are experts at their own experience
• Has patience and a good sense of humour
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Trouble #3: Learning the Language
• Challenges, risks, and benefits
• Where to find out about appropriate language?
• Careful not to refer to individual people as labels (see cartoon)
Can a straight person use “queer”?
Can a white-skinned
person say “brown”?Does U of T
have foreign students?
Is it disability, differently-abled, physically/mentally challenged… ?
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Trouble #4: Diversity within Diversity
• My group is for students from ethno-cultural background X… aren’t we contributing to campus diversity? YES! But… are your meetings and events:
– male dominated?
– physically accessible?
– financially accessible?
– family friendly?
– welcoming to LGBTQ students?
– appropriate for various ages?
– held on dates that are not religious holidays?
– …
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Trouble #5: Facing Reluctance and Resistance
• Challenging people (oooo scary!)
• Keeping morale up in face of challenges (think gay marriage debate!)
• Expose through irony etc., the shallowness of arguments against diversity
• Recognize and deal with silent adversity early!
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Trouble #6: Organizations with a Past
• Dealing with reputation (possibly bad!) of your group on issues of diversity
• Showing a willingness for positive change, back it up with action
The New Yorker (Jan 22, 2001)
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Brainstorming: Other Challenges?
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“The courts ruled we had to open it up to all stuffed animals”
New Yorker (July 19, 1993)
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Supporting Equity through Policy
• University of Toronto policy: www.utoronto.ca/offdocs
• Handbook for Student Societies includes policies, guidelines and advice concerning the business and governance of Student Societies in the University of Toronto.
• Use policy as a tool to legitimize your work, show institutional support e.g. UofT Statement on Human Rights, Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harrassment, Code of Student Conduct
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Creating your own Policies
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Putting Policy into Practice in your Group
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Resources on Campus
• Student Affairs: Jim Delaney, Ian Simmie,
• Equity Offices
• College staff
• Peer organizations
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Questions and Discussion
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Conclusion
• Don’t forget to fill in evaluation forms!
Jude Tate: [email protected]
Christopher Collins: [email protected]
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www.markstivers.com
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www.cartoonbank.com