Key Concepts of
Diversity, Equity & Social Justice 

UNST Definition: 
​Students will explore and analyze identity, power relationships, and social justice in historical contexts and contemporary settings from multiple perspectives.

​Group Definition: 
The understanding and respecting of differing perspectives, practices and identities in relation to our society’s social conditions and oppressive systems.
Being mindful of the intersection of various social identities and their impact on a single individual.
Alleviating barriers that sustain inequitable conditions for individuals.

Privilege

Our Questions

  • If you are a cisgender, white male take one step forward
  • If there have been times in your life when you skipped a meal because there was no food in the house take one step backward.
  • If you have visible or invisible disabilities take one step backward.
  • If you attended (grade) school with people you felt were like yourself take one step forward.
  • If you grew up in an urban setting take one step backward.
  • If members of your gender are portrayed on TV in degrading roles, take one step backward.
  • If your family had health insurance take one step forward.
  • If your work holidays coincide with religious holidays that you celebrate take one step forward.
  • If you feel good about how your identified culture is portrayed by the media take one step forward.
  • If you have been the victim of physical violence based on your gender, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation take one step backward.
  • If you have ever felt passed over for an employment position based on your gender, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation take one step backward.
  • If you do not have a physically visible disability, take one step forward.
  • If you were born in the United States take one step forward.
  • If English is your first language take one step forward.
  • If you have been divorced or impacted by divorce take one step backward.
  • If you came from a supportive family environment take one step forward.
  • If neither of your parents graduated from college, take a step back.​
  • If you have completed high school take one step forward.
  • If you were able to complete college take one step forward.
  • If you are a citizen of the United States take one step forward.
  • If you took out loans for your education take one step backward.
  • If you attended public school take one step backward.
  • If you studied the culture of your ancestors in elementary school, take one step forward.
  • If one or both of your parents have a college degree, take one step forward.
  • If you have ever felt unsafe walking alone at night take one step backward.
  • If you are able to move through the world without fear of sexual assault, take one step forward
  • If you can show affection for your romantic partner in public without fear of ridicule or violence, take one step forward
  • If you ever tried to change your appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to fit in more, take one step back.
  • If your parents works nights and weekends to support your family, take one step backward
  • If you have ever been diagnosed having a physical or mental illness/disability, take one step backward
  • If you often wake up thinking you will not succeed today because of white privilege, take a step backward
  • If you have felt attacked based off your political affiliation, take a step back
  • If you rely on public transportation, take a step back
  • If you own your own vehicle, take a step forward

Debrief Questions

  • What did you feel while participating in this activity?
  • Are you more aware of aspects of your identity after this experience? How so?
    • What are some factors you did not think about before?
  • How did you feel being in the front of the room? Towards the back?
  • How can your understanding of your privileges improve your existing relationships with others?
  • What question made you think the most?
  • What are your thoughts on power and privilege?
Resources Used:
https://peacelearner.org/2016/03/14/privilege-walk-lesson-plan/
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/diversity/social-justice/social-justice-lesson-plans/talking-about-race-and-privilege-lesson-plan-for-middle-and-high-school-students
​

Racism

Ashley Keates
“We all have cultural bias, racial bias. One of the difficult things around this subject is to deny that we have places we go to subconsciously, and unless you consciously decide that that’s wrong and you’ve got to do something about it, especially if you’re in a position of power, it won’t change.” – David Oyelowo
Prejudice- refers to a positive or negative evaluation of another person based on their perceived group membership.  (Oxford Research Encyclopedias)

Racism- on the other hand refers to social actions, practices or beliefs or political systems that consider different races to be ranked as inherently superior or inferior to each other. (Oxford Research Encyclopedias)

Science approach-  There are no white people or black or brown people in a strand of DNA, just a galaxy of clusters of shared traits developed and propagated among a kaleidoscope of overlapping ancestral groups.

HOW DOES THE HUMAN MIND CATEGORIZE PEOPLE?

The ability to quickly and automatically categorize people is a fundamental quality of the human mind. Categories give order to life, and every day, we group other people into categories based on social and other characteristics. This is the foundation of stereotypes, prejudice and, ultimately, discrimination.

( Study by: Binyam Nardos, Postdoctoral researcher. Fair neuroimaging Lab, OHSU. 1/24/2018 )
Enhanced memory for own racial group
Fusiform Face Area (FFA) in brain correlates with memory ​
Test your own implicit bias: Understanding the roots of stereotypes and prejudice in our society
CLICK HERE FOR TESTING IMPLICIT BIAS
HOW ARE OUR BIASES REINFORCED?


HOW DO WE PERPETUATE BIAS?


WHAT CAN BE DONE?

COMMUNITY MATTERS

​
COMMITING TO CHANGE ​
...Once learned-- we are often resistant to change. Disregarding evidence to the contrary…

...By conformity with in-group attitudes and socialization by culture at large…

....Conscious attitudes and beliefs can change…

...When people work together their attitudes about diversity can change dramatically…

...Don’t reject the notion, ask more questions and what actions we can take… 

​

HOW CAN WE BE BETTER ALLIES?

  • Believe what is being said. Listen and trust.
  • Give money or external support without inserting own voice unless asked.
  • Be a supportive physical presence if someone is being harassed or needs help. Videotape and report.
  • Be a signal boost for marginalized voices.
  • Call and mail representatives ​​

types of racism
"COLORBLIND" ISSUE: “I don’t see race”. A position with serious consequences, including denying differential treatment and ignoring culturally relevant information. Recognizes color but then, in an appeal to abstract moral principles, dismisses it as a determinant of how people are treated...

ESSENTIALIST RACISM: Race as a determinant and explanation of human behavior...

RACE COGNIZANCE: recognizes the complexities of context, the ways in which race can interact with socio-economic status to predetermine in advance the meanings and realities of one’s identity and experiences...

(Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race- Reni Eddo-Lodge)
(www.racism.org)
(Ethnicity matters- Barbara Eckstein)

DON'T SHOOT PORTLAND 

OREGON KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:
ADVOCACY AND LEGAL WORKSHOPS. DEVELOPED LEGAL OUTREACH IN SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH LAWYERS AND VOLUNTEERS FROM THE NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD AND THE PORTLAND LAW COLLECTIVE.

​COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL DIALOGUE:
AS A PORTLAND ARTIST COLLECTIVE HELPED US TO DEVELOP OUR SIGNATURE ACTIVISM AND DIRECT ENGAGEMENT PLATFORMS AND PANELS. THESE DEMONSTRATIONS HAVE EXPANDED THE #BLACKLIVESMATTER MOVEMENT AND OUR AGENDA INTO STATE CAPITALS, CITY AND COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES INCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS.

COMMUNITY ART PROJECT:
OUR YOUTH OUTREACH ENSURES THAT WE SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL ACTIVISM THROUGH VARIOUS FORMS OF EDUCATION RELATED ART AND HISTORY PROJECTS FOCUSED ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND ANTI DISCRIMINATION. THE FIGHT AGAINST STATE SANCTIONED DISCRIMINATION IS GOING TO BE STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE USE OF KNOWLEDGE OF PROCESS, POLICY AND HISTORY.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DON'T SHOOT PORTLANT

Intersectionality


Ibette Sanchez-Mexicano

**Acknowledging Disability**

​
  • Disability is one of the most neglected identities in our society.
  • Understand: more complex identities might struggle more with finding **safe** spaces for that specific community.
  • What can those of us who are able-bodied do to prevent from being dehumanizing?

The Urgency of Intersectionality

“Spheres of social identities — from race to gender to sexuality to disability — operate on multiple levels, creating multidimensional experiences.”

Conceptualizing Intersectionality

The term "intersectionality" was coined by scholar, Kimberle Crenshaw. Intersectionality is the way identities intersect and create layers of oppression for an individual.
When creating movements, we need to acknowledge the space/movement we're creating. 

     White Feminism - ​Critiques

  • Neglects the voices of women of color forcing the need to create separate movements lead by women and people of color.
  • Feminism extends beyond sexism, misogyny and the patriarchy.
    • Contemporary: Women’s March & “Silent Oppression”
      • Cisgender (think about the overwhelming amount of pink pussy hats), straight, able-bodied, white women
        • Lacking inclusion/representation for people who are non-binary or gender non-conforming, issues concerning people of color, (protesting in general) people with disabilities, people of the LGBTQ community
  • “Say Her Name” is the movement creating awareness for violence against **women** of color (Ieisha Evans, Baton Rouge) ​
Source: https://d43fweuh3sg51.cloudfront.net/media/media_files/Intersectionality_StudentHandoutB.pdf
Above: Iesha Evans
​[Source above] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/11/baton-rouge-protester-photo-iesha-evans
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  • Violence against people
    **of color** who are transgender & Police in pussy hats
    • Transwomen of color experience higher rates homelessness and fatalities from police brutality.
​
What message is made when we see police officers at protests and demonstrations that are meant to be inclusive? What does it mean when we see them interacting with demonstrators?
Does it blind-side lethal issues affecting people of color and transgender people of color?
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[Source left] https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/womens-march-atlanta-police-officers-high-five-protesters-in-viral-video/news-story/edaeac41f74bd2c3575cc703991aad14
[Source Above]
​https://www.pdxmonthly.com/slideshows/2017/1/23/portland-grabs-back-photos-from-the-women-s-march
Picture
[Source] ​https://medium.com/applied-intersectionality/if-your-feminism-aint-intersectional-i-don-t-wanna-talk-c39ba285fa5f

Language with a social Justice lens

Language is not only a tool for communication, but something we need to be aware of in the context of social justice. Sometimes we perpetuate oppressive conditions through micro-aggressions.
Micro-agressions are small comments that can be consciously or unconsciously make prejudice remarks towards a person of a marginalized community ie. race, gender, class, ability etc. What we say can be interpreted differently by any person. We have to be critical thinkers about the underlying message of our words. It is our social responsibility to be mindful of what we say or ask and the intentions behind it. 
We should always consider the spaces we are in, who we are speaking to, be aware our own biases, and pay attention to our positionality in this society.
Ashley Royal


​Portland State Campus & Community Resources

Available at PSU 

CENTER FOR STUDENT HEALTH AND COUNSELING (SHAC)  available to PSU students
SHAC Hours: Mon-Thur: 9:00am - 5:00pm   Fri: 9:30am - 5:00pm
SHAC main line: 503.725.2800
Advice Nurse: 1.844.224.3145

Portland Community Resources

Mental Health Crisis Service--Multnomah County Crisis Line (available 24/7) 503.988.4888

Resources and hotlines for victims of racial violence or discrimination

The Victim Connect Resource Center is a referral hotline for any and all persons affected by hate crime. Connections can be made via phone, online chat and web based information referrals. 
Traditional Telephone: 855.4.VICTIM (855.484.2846)--M-F 8:30-7:30
Online Chat: Chat.VictimConnect.org--M-F 9:30-6:30
web information referral: VictimConnect.org
Monitoring Group 24/7 Hotline 0800 374 618 

Crisis text line Available to anyone in the United States 

​For Free 24 hour text support--Text CONNECT to 741741
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