Thanks for sharing!

As Greg’s I also think this can be a powerful idea. However, there is something that we need to consider and be very careful about it. You mention to focus on the similarities, and comment “We will look for similarities, and a peaceful life– rather than focus on differences which could lead to conflict.” I think it is important to mention that differences shouldn’t be leading to conflicts. It’s not OK to have to find what things make us similar in order to be able to have a peaceful life. We should be able to have a peaceful life recognizing, honoring, and being proud of our differences. But I do see your point and the need to start by something on a very complex issue.

My ideal situation is that circle, triangle, square, and line with no shape can recognize, respect and interact without anyone having a privilege over one another, and respecting every single aspect of them.

Again, we need to start by something so I’m interested in learning how we can bring this into the classroom?

Homero

From the viewpoint of a guy (and growing up in an uber-conservative community), I never heard this stereotype either. And what’s more, most of my math and science teachers (I would venture an estimation of 95%) have been women–both K-12 and University–and I’ve never batted an eye to that fact!

From what I’ve read lately, the statistics are showing boys being left behind in these fields now, for many reasons. I’m not saying this is no longer an issue, but I think it is one that could, and should, be let go of.

(Thanks for the chuckle regarding the uselessness of this subject that you so excelled at!)

I also meant to talk about how we fail to expect students to defend their beliefs, ideas and identity. Not from discrimination, but from natural exploration of who we are and how we interact with those around us.

Thank you for the interesting post. I really like the third point. Sailors were given a new identity and become a member of a new community. I guess the US army have a well-established procedure about being inclusive. As you said why not applying it in universities.

It’s no surprise that I agree with you, I think. I mentioned at one point in one of table discussions how my advisor treats one of her classes, surveying them for personal strengths and interests, then composing groups based on complementarity. This is how I view successful diversity and inclusion can be used in the classroom. Unfortunately, we tend to narrowly use the terms in academia.

As for no-no lists, I absolutely believe this is against everything the University stands for: Exploring and communicating ideas. Social etiquette dictates much and we should not operate at the level that everyone is out to get each other. In cases of proven abuse, said student should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Let that be the deterrent. Otherwise, limiting the communication of ideas by limiting speech in any way is a detriment.

I’m from Alabama and get the questions on both ends as well. It seems those from the South think I have betrayed our culture, and those from the North are surprised I’m not a stereotype. I definitely don’t have to deal with “Deliverance”-type stereotyping, though : )

Thanks for sharing.

I really like how you did the breakout of the topics, and provide specific recommendations.

I will say we need to add ethnicity, and ability. Since those are also two very complex issues. As per your comment on disabilities, believe me, I’m working with a case of disability right now and the office for disabilities at VT are not being very effective treating a disable student. I’ll comment more on class tomorrow.

Homero

Thanks for sharing!

Great experiments. I also am an advocate for international opportunities. One of the best experiences of my life was to be on the Global perspectives program. I encourage everyone taking the class to apply, since it’s a great experience. Talking and sharing with people from different disciplines about higher education, and cultural differences in Switzerland and Italy is for sure a great learning experience.

Homero

Thanks for sharing!

It remind me a very proud moment for me as a father. My mom, comes from Venezuela, and she has been in her own bubble for most of her life. So sometimes you need to have serious conversations with her about what’s appropriate and so on. Last time we visited we were taking her back to the airport in DC, we took the morning to go around and see some monuments. My son (7 years old second-grader) had the role of explaining to us (the non-U.S. educated) who the people in the monuments were, and what they did. When walking around Martin Luther King, he said “this is my favorite, because he was fighting so everybody could have the same rights,” I asked what do you mean? he said well dad, back in the days, people of color were not able to do things as white people, for example voting. Then he said hey dad, if we were living back in those years we couldn’t vote right? because we are brown. At that moment my Mom jumped in and said “don’t say that, we are not brown, we are not anything, we are just people, stop saying things like that, we are like everybody else, we don’t need to pay attention to color of the skin”

His wonderful answer: “Wait grandma. We do are brown, and I’m proud of being brown, it’s part of my family, it’s part of my culture, it’s what I am. I love my white and black friends, and I care about them, but I’m brown and there is nothing to be ashamed because of it.”

In my mind he just dropped a huge mic.

Thanks for sharing,

I will say YES, and YES. You make great points here. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could develop inclusive economic courses. I think this can go from having an inclusive student-centered syllabus, to having a PPT presentation that considers universal design.

There is so much room from improvement, despite the field we are in!

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Thanks for your post! It turns out that the most diverse places aren’t always the most places that are melting pot per say. However, it would really be nice if the barriers and differences among people are torn down, and that people begin to focus on their similarities. As you mentioned, this will open golden opportunities.