Difficult Conversations- Learnings from our Recent Diversity Series

We have recently concluded our Diversity Series, entitled "New Approaches to Old Problems," and it was a huge success! We were challenged to think critically about our nation's engagement of difference, social identities and longstanding stereotypes. As part of this series, attorney and diversity trainer Jennifer Barnes offered some guidelines (as adapted from the 2014 Social Justice Training Institute) for having difficult conversations around race, class, gender and sexuality. They are listed below. 

Read. Meditate. Share.

1. Be open and honest.
2. Speak from personal experience; use “I” statements to share thoughts and feelings.
3. Listen respectfully to learn, not to reply.
4. Share air time; encourage others to participate.
5. Be open to new and different perspectives.
6. Take risks – lean into discomfort.
7. Respect and maintain confidentiality.
8. Recognize those who have not spoken and invite them to participate.
9. Notice and name group dynamics in the moment.
10. Notice and share when you feel triggered.
11. Trust that through dialogue, we will reach deeper levels of understanding and acceptance.