Sponsored by the Friedman SJID & Bridging Differences
Time Commitment: 3-1.5hr dialogues in February 2021 plus review of supplementary material (articles, videos, and/or podcasts) in advance of each.
How to Register: Email Carine Tarazi (carine.tarazi@tufts.edu)
Why is this project being done?
In carrying out the work of the Friedman Committee on Social Justice, Inclusion, and Diversity (CSJID), and in conversations with colleagues across Tufts and at other institutions, we came to recognize that a major hindrance to equity, diversity and inclusion work is that activities and efforts tend to attract those who are like-minded: training upon training, event after event, result in yet more “preaching to the choir.” Furthermore, work toward institutional change can be hindered when there is a lack of agreement on how to best approach an issue, or whether an issue even exists. A way to break out of this is to meaningfully invite in and consider differing opinions on these issues and how to address them. We also recognize that these are topics that many people, even if like-minded, are not comfortable discussing. We believe that meaningful discourse is a prerequisite for meaningful change.
The purpose of the dialogues is to have a forum for discussions to understand and honor philosophical differences and to promote a culture of open discourse around these issues. We will create “safe enough” spaces for meaningfully engaging Friedman community members with a range of viewpoints on issues of diversity and inclusion. Structured, facilitated dialogues represent a method for including and considering different voices.
What are participants committing to?
- You will participate in three dialogues, each lasting ninety minutes. These will be scheduled for February 2021. You will be asked to prepare for each dialogue by reviewing supplementary materials which may include articles, book chapters, videos, and/or podcasts. We anticipate a time investment of an average of 30 minutes to prepare for each dialogue.
- You will be with the same group of people (faculty and staff) for all three of the dialogues. Each dialogue in your series will be at least a week apart, to allow time for you to process each dialogue, and no more than two weeks apart, to build on the trust that develops.
- As a dialogue participant, we hope that you commit to reflecting and speaking deeply about your own experiences and values, and to listening to others' experiences with resilience (the ability to hang in when something is hard to hear), especially when you hear something that might differ from your viewpoint.
Group 1 (faculty and staff) will meet Tuesdays from 10:30am to 12:00pm the following dates: February 23rd, March 2nd, March 9th