What did they just say!? Strategies for Interrupting Oppressive Behavior and Language

What did they just say!?Strategies for Interrupting Oppressive Behavior and LanguagePresented by:Cobretti D. Williams, Coordinator of Integrity Formation Programs

MJ Jones, Asst. Resident Director for Murphy Apartments & ChardinAsk the RAs how they define oppression then give a brief synopsis of the title and direction of this presentation.1The theme of tonights conversationWhat would you do?Learning OutcomesRevisit foundational social justice definitions and meanings Identify and discuss barriers and motivations to interrupting oppressive language and behavior Brainstorm and share experiences about interrupting oppressive language and behaviorApply prior knowledge and new learnings to complete a case studyBefore we beginWhats a social justice conversation without community guidelines?!Remember, 100% competency is non-existent we are always learningDialogue, not lectureUse I StatementsAssume positive intentBe cautious of triggersBe patientNotice who is (and is not) in the roomLean into the discomfort (safety vs. comfort)Also self care (get up to use the restroom of whatever you may need at any point)Also the presenters dont possess all knowledge (share when you have something to contribute; ask questions when you have them)4More key considerationsOppressive language and behavior is an equal opportunity phenomenon*Oppressive behavior is continuous in nature, intentional and unintentionalCommunities of Practice have strong influenceCycle of Socialization (Harro, 2008)Bystander Effect/InterventionYou, me, and we

*We are all capable of intentionally or unintentionally engaging in oppressive behavior regardless of awareness levelsYou, me, and we = This session isnt just to interrupt oppression as a third-party but making sure to manage our own behaviors.5Setting the Context Revisiting Definitions: PrivilegePrivilege operates on personal, interpersonal, cultural, and institutional levels and gives advantages, favors, and benefits to members of dominant groups at the expense of members of target groups. (Ex. White people; Able-bodied people; Heterosexuals; Males; Christians;Middle or owning class people; etc.)Setting the Context Revisiting Definitions: OppressionA system that maintains advantage and disadvantage based on stereotyped social group memberships. Oppression can manifest through:Individual Acts of Prejudice, Ignorance, Hatred (intentional and unintentional)Institutional Policy, Practice, Norms (intentional and unintentional)Cultural Assumptions, Norms, Practices (intentional and unintentional)

Setting the Context Revisiting Definitions: MicroaggressionsMicroaggressions are brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral and environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative (racial) slights and insults that potentially have harmful or unpleasant psychological impact on the target person or group. (Solorzano, Ceja, & Yosso, 2000)

Oppressive behavior is rooted in microaggressions, which allows it to exists in continuous movement.

I have a microaggressions table that we can hand out to Ras to give them a sense of what microaggressions look like.8Oppression is not just for extremists! Examples of microaggressions:ExampleI am not homophobic - I have gay friends, and I love Project Runway!

She's so independent, you wouldn't even know she's in a wheelchair!Implicit MessageI am immune to homophobia because I have LGBT friends and/or I associate with mainstream stereotypes of queerness

Wheelchair users are unable to be independentSue, Derald Wing. 2007. Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Implications for Clinical Practice. American Psychologist . 271- 286.

Setting the Context Revisiting Definitions: TriggersStatements, behaviors, and attitudes (intentional and unintentional) that provoke an immediate mental, emotional, and/or physiological negative response

We all experience these differentlyWhat happens when oppressive behavior occurs?We either react in a destructive manner or colludeLeads to internalized oppression and more collusion among targeted groups10Setting the Context Revisiting Definitions: Intent vs. ImpactMost of us do not wake up plotting to oppress or offend one another we can assume positive intentions.However, we can still impact others in a hurtful or negative way without meaning to.Cobretti didnt mean to step on my foot, and thats nice and everything, but my foot still hurts regardless!Intent vs Impact

Stimulus: May have positive intentions, but impact lands in a ineffective manner.Interrupter: Same scenario, could lead to unfruitful situation where no learns anything and behavior continues.

We must all be careful of the impact our words make on others, regardless of their intentions.Reflection of ourselves 11Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me Riiight.EVERYDAY LANGUAGE AND ITS MEANINGSLameGhettoRetardedCrazyGyppedGayFatMotivations of Interrupting Oppressive Behavior & LanguageCreates more safe and welcoming communities Encourages dialogue and furthers education and awarenessSilence in oppressive situations condones behavior and allows the cycle of oppression to continueMore likely than not, someone else is thinking it!Barriers to Interrupting Oppressive Behavior & LanguageI dont want to be labeled too sensitive or as having no sense of humorI dont want to hurt the other persons feelings what if they didnt mean it?I dont know what to say, and I dont want to make the situation worse!Power dynamics, relationships, and cultural differencesLow expectations Whats the point? No one else around me is intervening (Bystander effect)Triggers Im going to say the wrong thing if I respond while Im angry/upsetOthers?Why we decide not to act in the momentBystander EffectDeciding not to act in agreement or solidarity of the offended party due to fear, anxiety, or anger.14Where do we go from here?Transition into skills portion of presentation where we discuss various ways of combating oppressive behavior, both internal and external. Starts with case studies or case studies could occur in between strategies.15PAIR & SHARECan you think of a time where you interrupted oppressive behavior? What was effective and what could you have done better?Can you think of a time you let oppressive behavior go on? What held you back?So, youve been triggered.B.A.R. (Breathe, acknowledge, and then respond)BREATHE - Take a deep breath or two. It is the most natural way to calm you downACKNOWLEDGE Acknowledge what the person is saying either through active listening or asking clarifying questionsRESPOND Respond, dont react.

Interrupting: More Skills & StrategiesSpeak from personal experienceAsk clarifying questionsKnow your motivation and objective when interruptingDont lecture, dialogueShare new information & knowledgeDemonstrate patience(Cobretti)18So, youve been triggered.B.A.R. (Breathe, acknowledge, and then respond)BREATHE - Take a deep breath or two. It is the most natural way to calm you downACKNOWLEDGE Acknowledge what the person is saying either through active listening or asking clarifying questionsRESPOND Respond, dont react.

More key considerationsWe are always speaking from our own identities - privileged and marginalized - when interrupting (self-awareness is critical)Sometimes the group targeted by the behavior or language is not present what are the benefits of interrupting regardless?Privilege can be used to interrupt oppressive behavior but balance between acknowledging oppressive behavior and taking someones voice awayWhen Ive offended someoneWhen someone shares with you that you have offended them, it can bring up feelings of guilt, shame and upset. Strategies:Breathe, acknowledge, and respondAvoid becoming defensiveKeep intent vs. impact in mindApologize, forgive yourself, and move forward with continuing to educate yourselfIt is also important to discuss strategies for handling having offended another avoid stating your intent or making excuses, but rather accept the responsibility, apologize, and move forward with educating yourself (dont expect target group to educate you)21CASE STUDYCase #1The phrases youre such a fag and "youre such a retard" are casually used by several members of your community towards other community members and frequently appear written on dry erase boards throughout the community. Several other community members have expressed discomfort about the use of such offensive language and have begun isolating themselves from the rest of the community and have suggested an interest in moving should the behavior continue.

Case #2At a recent program, the RA noticed several community members making fun of an international student because of her expression of the English language, her accent and making insulting comments about her traditional cultural manner of dress. In addition, when speaking with the student several community members speak in elevated tones and assume a mocking accent of their own. The international student has not expressed an awareness of the issue or any concern, but other members of the community are beginning to engage in the same behavior.

Case #3Peers in one of your classes constantly engage in the telling of jokes that have been deemed as inappropriate, insulting and motivated by bias towards racial minorities, members of the LGBT community and people with physical disabilities. When confronted, they suggest they are just joking and people need to relax and lighten up. Who cares?

Case #4You and a friend enter a busy restaurant off campus and stand in line behind two individuals, one who has Downs syndrome and the other who is in a wheelchair. Several minutes pass before the waiter approaches you. Although the other two individuals have been waiting for longer, the waiter offers to seat you first.

Its not just reactiveWhat are some ways to be proactive about interrupting oppression?

It starts with yourself self awareness of your identities (privileged, marginalized, and border)Educational poster or bulletin board campaigns around identity topicsAttending on-campus events to begin or further your own awareness around oppression(i.e. the recent Campus Climate forums)Social programs and dialogue circles (i.e. coming out panels; DCs around current events)Becoming involved in the community outside of SU to help further educate self and othersOthers?Closing PointsDont wait for someone else to jump in when you witness oppressive behavior in your community!Mistakes can and will be made along the way and are part of the learning processThere are always going to be people who dont care in this world! (Ignorance is bliss for some) BUT There are also plenty of people who are willing to learn and be challenged

Others?

EXAMEN:What is one new thing I took away from tonights activities?What is one question that still remains for me?How can I think about and apply these concepts outside of my leadership role?