作为Buff社区的一员, there are things we can do to create and maintain an inclusive campus environment. When it comes to looking out for each other, 无论是校内还是校外, here are some tips for being an ally and addressing harmful language or actions when you see or hear them.
1. 学习和倾听
Begin with educating yourself about the lived experiences of others from backgrounds and identities different from your own. 这包括来自不同文化的人, 种族, identities and abilities that vary from your experience or familiarity.
- Seek out materials to learn about the history of discrimination, systemic oppression and racial oppression in our country. Books, articles, documentaries or podcasts all are options for learning. 这 反种族主义资源清单 compiled by the University Libraries and the 包容与社会变革中心’s 自学资源 有什么好的地方可以开始.
- Vary your media intake (entertainment, news sources, social media, etc.) to include a range of voices and perspectives.
- Learn about the historical experiences and struggles that marginalized groups have faced to better understand the current challenges in our society.
- 参与一些事情，比如 activism and social justice student organizations, 多元文化希腊议会, 全国泛希腊理事会 或者是 包容与社会变革中心 (CISC)，如果你是学生.
- 参与 人力资源部提供的培训, CISC研讨会, OIEC教育会议 or offerings from your individual department if you are faculty or staff.
- Stay informed with what’s happening in your community.
Make an effort to be inclusive in your daily life—be mindful of the language you use and the content you share on social media. As you learn more, reflect on and acknowledge the advantages and biases you may have. Confronting our own biases is often challenging and uncomfortable, and necessary if we want to help create change.
2. 做一个有效的盟友
It can be exhausting for people who have been marginalized to constantly feel like they have to address problematic comments or behaviors. Learning and practicing skills to address racism, 性别歧视, homophobia or other abusive acts directed at people with marginalized identities is a critical way to be an ally.
有许多有效的 旁观者的策略 that allies can use, and even subtle acts can have a big impact. It can be valuable to speak up without speaking on behalf of others even if it’s just to let someone know that you don’t agree with their actions. You don’t need to have the perfect response to show your support for someone who is the target of harmful words or actions.
3. Have the tough but important conversations
Addressing harmful language or actions may lead to some tough conversations with close friends, 家庭成员及同事. Yet it is important that we have these conversations.
When addressing someone’s words or actions, you’ll want to be strategic about your approach. Think about what outcome you hope for from the conversation. 你希望教育某人吗? Show solidarity with someone who’s being harmed or targeted? 为将来的交互设置边界? Before going into a potentially difficult conversation, it’s important to check in with ourselves about what we’re hoping to achieve and what might realistically happen.
It can help to approach the situation with compassion and curiosity, and assume that the person didn’t intend to be inappropriate or offensive. We can’t really know what is in someone’s heart. If possible, avoid getting angry with someone who makes a one-off inappropriate comment. 这可能会使他们处于守势, which reduces the likelihood that they will actually hear feedback. 不管他们的意图如何, showing compassion gives them the opportunity to save face and do better in the moment or in the future.
Here are some examples of how you could approach the conversation:
- “You may not realize that the comment you made had a negative impact. 我在想博彩平台推荐能不能谈谈.”
- “I think we have really different perceptions about this issue. Could you help me understand where you’re coming from?”
- “I hear where you’re coming from and I know some people feel differently. Would you be open to hearing other perspectives?”
- “我不同意你说的话. I’m wondering what has led you to this belief.”
When we have tough conversations, they may become heated or escalate more than we had expected. If need be, ask to take a break and return to the conversation after everyone has time to cool off.
改变不会在一夜之间发生. Conversations may not always resolve the way we’d like, and sometimes seeing progress requires a series of conversations and a willingness to keep engaging. We can’t control the outcome, but we can control what we say and do.
