5/22 • DIVERSITY WORKSHOP
Jason Heisserer, EdD
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SUNDAY, MAY 22 | 10:30 AM | JASON HEISSERER, EdD
Jason will lead us through a self-reflection on how our life experiences shape who we are as individuals and are often, knowingly, and unknowingly, embedded with racism.This training is designed to give definitions and explore examples of terms like implicit bias and microaggressions with the intent of sparking further conversation about a range of differences, how we can be a more open and inclusive community, and how we can continue the conversation, even when it might be difficult, about subjects such as race, gender, sexuality, and others. Jason Heisserer's commitment to justice and equity began in high school, was a focus of his 25-year career in education, and remains the core of his consulting work today. He holds a doctorate and education, will begin an MSW at Washington University in the fall of 2022, and spends a great deal of time baking, making collage art, enjoying life with his partner in the Central West End in St. Louis, and playing with his new puppy, Juniper. |
Jason invites you to spend some time with each of these six journal prompts below prior to the workshop. He has written these prompts specifically to “prime the pump,” so to speak, for this workshop. You may decide to write in response to each prompt. You may also decide to just reflect on them or discuss them with a friend or partner. Regardless, there is no judgment about how you respond or whether or not you respond at all.
The prompts are divided in such a way that the first five are designed to help us think about our socialization around differences, and the sixth is designed to help us address any thoughts, feelings, and resistances that might have come up during our journal process.
PROMPTS
The prompts are divided in such a way that the first five are designed to help us think about our socialization around differences, and the sixth is designed to help us address any thoughts, feelings, and resistances that might have come up during our journal process.
PROMPTS
For today, reflect on and write about
- Both the explicit and implicit messages you received as a child, adolescent, or youth (think birth through high school) about gender, sexuality, race and racism, ability, etc. (Explicit messages are concrete and specific; you could quote them, for example. Implicit messages are often found in who or what was missing as you grew up.) Consider things like:
- Words, sayings, stories, and jokes.
- Your family's choice of neighborhood, school, grocery store, entertainment, sports, church, etc.
- Images on Television, in books, etc.
- Take time to note any thoughts or feelings as you responded to the prompt above.
Yesterday we wrote about our socialization about a variety of identity markers in terms of our childhood and youth. Today, we will write about how our professional identities were socialized about race and racism.
Today, think and write about
Today, think and write about
- The explicit and implicit messages about gender, sexuality, race and racism, ability, etc. you received during college, trade school, military training, etc.
- AND/OR The explicit and implicit messages about gender, sexuality, race and racism, ability, etc. as you entered a profession or the military or whatever role(s) you took on after high school or this training.
- Think about
- Sources of knowledge, expertise, and mentoring, both in print and from teachers, mentors, and professionals already in your chosen field.
- The diversity of your college or university, trade school, etc. and the diversity present in your first job or as you took on whatever role(s) you may have after high school. Think about the spoken and unspoken rules, traditions, and culture you experienced.
- Take time to note any thoughts or feelings as you responded to the prompts above.
For the past couple of days, we’ve written about our socialization around a variety of identity markers. Today, we will write about ways this socialization was reinforced and revised by those around us.
Today, please think and write about
Today, please think and write about
- Times you received affirmation or approval when you spoke, behaved, or believed in ways that were congruent with your socialization around difference. Consider any spoken feedback or rewards as well as the absence of any resistance or negative feedback in these situations.
- Times when you received negative feedback or responses when you tried to resist or correct your socialization by speaking up, disagreeing, behaving differently, etc. Consider any spoken feedback as well as behaviors like rolled eyes, teasing, etc. directed toward you.
- Take time to note any thoughts or feelings as you responded to the prompts above.
Today, we will use our journals to write about ways our socialization around certain identity markers race has caused us to collude in the socialization of those around us (whether intentionally or unintentionally). This will give us practice with re-socializing ourselves.
This is not about judgment or blame, shame, or guilt. This is about surfacing, reflecting, and correcting in the privacy and brave space of your journal.
Today, think and write 2-3 messages you have, perhaps unknowingly at the time, perpetuated notions about gender, race, sexuality, ability, etc.
As always note your feelings and resistances. We will return to these in time.
This is not about judgment or blame, shame, or guilt. This is about surfacing, reflecting, and correcting in the privacy and brave space of your journal.
Today, think and write 2-3 messages you have, perhaps unknowingly at the time, perpetuated notions about gender, race, sexuality, ability, etc.
- You can perpetuate by speaking or acting out of messages you received without an analysis of them.
- You can perpetuate these notions by what you do not do as well, so think about what might have been missing and when you were silent and should not have been.
As always note your feelings and resistances. We will return to these in time.
Begin today by reviewing some of your earlier journal entries. Then focusing on a specific time period (childhood, adolescence, young adult, beginning professional, etc.), think and write about
This might seem like it requires judgment or a negative assessment of parents, family, friends, teachers, or mentors; however, blame, shame, and guilt are not a part of this process. Beware your internal editor who can show up as feelings as well as thoughts.
- What you would have needed to resist and revise the explicit and implicit messages you received about gender, race, sexuality, ability, etc..
- Consider both additions (eg a more diverse neighborhood) and subtractions (eg no jokes on a person ability).
- Also consider what you would have needed to see, hear, or experience to think about and process feelings your feelings about difference.
- Take time to note any thoughts or feelings as you responded to the prompt above.
This might seem like it requires judgment or a negative assessment of parents, family, friends, teachers, or mentors; however, blame, shame, and guilt are not a part of this process. Beware your internal editor who can show up as feelings as well as thoughts.
Section 2
Thoughts, Feelings, and Resistances
By the time we begin to understand what it means to be an adult, we are already an adult; that is, we are already shaped by all of our experiences around differences before adulthood. One of the ways to begin is with our bodies is to address the thoughts, feelings, and/or resistances that come up as we engage with this work. We will begin doing this today by using the notes we made for previous prompts about the thoughts and feelings that arose as we journaled.
Begin by reviewing the notes you made for previous prompts about thoughts, feelings, or resistances that arose as you thought and wrote about the prompts. You may have experienced both motivating and demotivating thoughts and feelings. Today, patiently and kindly, consider those that were difficult.
After you’ve done this, think and write about any patterns you noticed.
Thoughts, Feelings, and Resistances
By the time we begin to understand what it means to be an adult, we are already an adult; that is, we are already shaped by all of our experiences around differences before adulthood. One of the ways to begin is with our bodies is to address the thoughts, feelings, and/or resistances that come up as we engage with this work. We will begin doing this today by using the notes we made for previous prompts about the thoughts and feelings that arose as we journaled.
Begin by reviewing the notes you made for previous prompts about thoughts, feelings, or resistances that arose as you thought and wrote about the prompts. You may have experienced both motivating and demotivating thoughts and feelings. Today, patiently and kindly, consider those that were difficult.
After you’ve done this, think and write about any patterns you noticed.
- These might include things like defensiveness, guilt, denial, criticism (of self or others), exasperation, among others.
- Be aware also of where in your body you register these emotions. (For example, do your thoughts race? Does your heartbeat increase?)
- Demotivate my work about understanding differences?
- Stem from my socialization around differences?
ethical Action Opportunity
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ONGOING EFFORT | INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF METRO STL & WELCOME NEIGHBOR STL
The International Institute of Metro STL and Welcome Neighbor STL have recently been overwhelmed with a sporadic refugee influx. It is a very fluid situation, and there is a need for donated items, money and time. There are many ways to help out:
The International Institute of Metro STL and Welcome Neighbor STL have recently been overwhelmed with a sporadic refugee influx. It is a very fluid situation, and there is a need for donated items, money and time. There are many ways to help out:
- Family Partnering: Intensive 1-year commitment with the requirement of being in STL proper a great deal of time. To volunteer or partner with a family, you must fill out a volunteer form, attend an orientation, and pay a small $20 fee for a background check. Once cleared, you will directly receive volunteer opportunities via email. To learn more follow this link Volunteer for: Welcome Neighbor STL Helping Refugee and Immigrant Families in St. Louis.
- General Volunteering: Also follow the link above.
- Donating Money: Visit their respective websites to find out how to donate, links above.
- Donating Gift Cards: Mail to either organization.
- Donating Items: If you have items to donate, please consider two local organizations that help distribute items to refugees in St. Louis."
- House of Goods Baitulmal at 5911 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139 | (314) 833-3300
- Oasis International Ministries at 5035 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116 | (314) 353-3800
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Ethical Societies around the country are welcoming vistors to their Sunday Virtual Platforms and other online activities. Explore what is available at the American Ethical Union’s website. It's a great opportunity to get to know a bit more about fellow humanist congregations all around the country!